A woman who kept a toddler in a cage claims she had to flee her home after her partner in crime turned on her.Serial child abuser Claire Boyle says she had to move to escape partner Timothy Johnstone, after they were spared jail for child neglect.
Boyle, 36, made the claims through defence solicitor Brian Holliman during a hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.When she pled guilty to breaking bail conditions and assaulting a police officer, Mr Holliman asked for Johnstone, who was sitting in the public seats to watch Boyle’s case, to be locked out of the court.He said: "There is an individual outside.
She is the victim of him and is fleeing domestic violence. This was a pattern over several months. She would prefer this is not said in the presence of this individual."Sheriff Laura Mundell agreed for the court to be closed to the public during the hearing.
Mr Holliman continued: "She was fleeing an abusive relationship. She left that relationship in October."On several occasions she was reported as a missing or vulnerable person by her partner, Mr Johnstone.
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