I need domestic abuse victims to know that there's hope. Please don't just give up

Mum wins appeal over ex-husband’s sentence

- Sally Hind

A funeral director handed the lightest punishment under Scots law for attacking his wife has been hit with a tougher sentence after a campaign for justice by his victim.

Keida MacKenzie said she hopes the appeal victory against ex John Donnelly will give other victims strength to challenge unduly lenient sentences for abusers.

She said: “I need people out there suffering domestic abuse to know there is hope. Don’t give up at the first hurdle.”

Donnelly, owner of an East Kilbride funeral business, was convicted in January last year of a vicious assault on Keida in the then family home in Strathaven.

Hamilton SheriffCourt heard how the 51-year-old struck her on the head, causing her to fall against furniture. He then hit her repeatedly on the head and body during the 2017 attack.