Man tried to murder former partner with hammer over unpaid debt

A man who told police that he tried to murder his ex-partner because she hadn’t paid back a debt has been jailed for six years and eight months.

Derek Hughes, 57, struck his victim repeatedly on her head with a hammer on the evening of May 5, 2024 at her home in Dunbeg, near Oban.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the woman had to be rushed to hospital in Oban before being transferred to Glasgow for specialist neurological treatment.

Doctors described the injuries sustained by Ms Graham as “life-threatening”.

She sustained a “traumatic” brain injury and cuts to her head.

Judge Lady Hood heard how the woman now struggles with anxiety and depression and has problems with her memory.

She added: “You subjected the victim to a brutal assault – she suffered life-threatening injuries and permanent disfigurement.

“The woman is now living in fear. Your actions had a life-changing impact on her.

“Given the nature and seriousness of the crime, the only appropriate way to deal with you is to impose a custodial sentence.”

The story emerged after Hughes, also of Dunbeg, Argyllshire, pleaded guilty last month to a charge of attempted murder with an additional aggravation under section one of a piece of legislation called the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Act 2016.

The attempted murder is aggravated by the fact that Hughes targeted his former partner.

The sentence had been deferred so that the court could obtain reports.

At last month’s hearing, the court heard police arrested Hughes shortly after the assault. Detectives discovered that the accused had been in a relationship with the woman for 20 years before splitting up.

Prosecutor Christopher Wilson KC said: “He stated that he assaulted the complainer because she owed money that he didn’t repay within the expected timescale.”

The prosecutor told the court that the couple split, but they still saw each other – they both had joint ownership of a dog.

The court heard that Hughes then loaned the woman £500 – she managed to repay £170 of it from her pension.

Mr Wilson added: “The accused claimed that he had debts of his own that required to be honoured.

“The accused and the woman then came to an arrangement that she would provide him with a freezer that she no longer needed as part repayment of the debt.”

The court heard that the woman didn’t get a chance to settle the debt. Hughes came to her home and grabbed her by the hair before striking her repeatedly with a hammer.

The court heard the police became involved shortly afterwards, and Hughes was brought into custody.

Mr Wilson said that Ms Graham still feels anxiety about what happened to her.

On Monday, the court heard that Hughes has no previous convictions or pending cases against him.

Defence advocate Brian McConnachie KC told the court that Hughes’s excessive drinking had played a part in the attack. He said that his client was horrified by his actions following the attack.

Mr McConnachie added: “He gave full and frank admissions to the police and allowed them to find the weapon that had been used in the attack.

“When he realised what he had done Mr Hughes was disgusted by himself and was full of remorse.”

Mr McConnachie also said that Hughes knew he needed to go to prison.

He added: “It is a punishment he fully deserves.”

Lady Hood told Hughes that if he hadn’t pleaded guilty, he would have received ten years for the attack.

She also passed a lifelong non-harassment order on Hughes, which prevents him from making contact with his victim.