Man admits hammer attack on ex-girlfriend

A man admitted attacking his former partner with a hammer in Dunoon after she asked him to leave.

Kyle Bryce left the woman with life-changing injuries including a fractured skull and brain damage which she will never fully recover from. She can no longer live independently.

The 38 year-old was held after going on to threaten to strangle a female garage worker the same day.

The first offender admitted attempting to murder his ex at a property in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute on May 2 2024.

Bryce, of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, will be sentenced in March.

Bryce had gone to the house in Dunoon that day where he started arguing with the victim. The woman then said she wanted them to split.

Prosecutor Mark Mohammed KC told the High Court in Glasgow: "She asked Bryce to take his belongings and leave the house."

The woman went on to call her mother that the relationship was over.

But, Mr Mohammed said raging Bryce did not leave.

There was then instead another row before he shoved the victim against a wall.

The prosecutor: "He took a hammer and struck her on the head causing her to fall in the kitchen."

Bryce delivered more blows resulting in the woman being knocked out and suffering a string of horrific injuries.

He went to abandon the victim, left the house and dumped the hammer in a bin.

A sobbing Bryce then called his brother-in-law admitting "something bad happened".

He was also "hysterical" when he phoned his mother.

Bryce went on to dial 999 and stated: "Murder...the patient is away to heaven".

He said his ex was now "gone" and had suffered a "serious head injury".

Mercy crews arrived and police initially believed they may have to force entry after finding all the doors locked.

The victim's mum was contacted and she luckily had a spare key.

The woman was discovered still lying on the floor, badly hurt and unresponsive.

She was rushed to hospital in Glasgow.

The victim had brain damage, a fractured skull as well as other injuries to her face.

She was later transferred to a rehab unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock.

Mr Mohammed said she remains badly affected by her ordeal.

He told the hearing: "She will not fully recover from her brain injury.

"She is at increased risk of developing early onset dementia.

"There has been permanent hearing loss in the right ear."

As of August 2024, the woman was awaiting a bed at her local hospital.

She will end up needing supported accommodation as she can no longer live independently.

The court heard Bryce was held that night after he was involved in the assault of a petrol station worker in Strachur, Argyll and Bute, following the attack.

This woman had tried to stop him driving off - before he pushed her and threatened: "I will choke you to death".

Bryce admitted striking his ex with the hammer, but claimed: "I do not feel like I have harmed her seriously. I am so sorry if she is harmed."

Bryce also pleaded guilty today to the assault at the filling station.

Lord Arthurson told him: "This case is truly horrific and you will receive a sentence comparable to the sheer graphic nature of the crime."

Sentencing was adjourned for reports.

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