James McGarry, who battered his then-partner until she was “unrecognisable” after a night out, has passed away.
James McGarry was previously jailed(Image: RIP.Scot)
A violent thug, who was jailed after he broke every bone in his girlfriend’s face in her home, has died.
James McGarry, then 24, was caged for nearly five years after he battered his then-partner Michelle McCormack until she was “unrecognisable” after a night out in December 2018. The shocking attack happened at Ms McCormack’s flat in Linwood where McGarry, who was drunk off cocktails, repeatedly punched the young mum – inflicting “fractures in all areas of her face”.
The cowardly abuser “passed away unexpectedly” last month on April 11 and is set to be buried tomorrow, May 6. A death notice read that the bully from Renfrew was a “beloved son, adored cousin, family member and dear friend to many”.
Prior to his conviction, the court heard how McGarry lied to ambulance staff that his bloodsoaked partner had accidentally “hit her head on drawers and fell face first” and had been “cuddling” her. Judge Lord Mulholland stated during the hearing: “All that was a lie. He was responsible.”
Following the assault, the vile McGarry contacted a friend on Facebook. He mentioned Ms McCormack’s name, adding: “She is unrecognisable. I have done her in.”
It was the friend who dialled 999 and paramedics arrived to find McGarry outside the flat covered in blood. The court heard her face was horrifically bruised and swollen, with her eyes closed shut.
The mother, who also had injuries to her skull, hands and rib, could only recall being repeatedly punched before her next memory being waking up at hospital.
It was heard that Ms McCormack had “fractures in all areas of her face top to bottom, left to right”, including both her top and bottom jaw being “displaced”. The injuries required “complex” surgery and she was placed in a high dependency unit were there were concerns about her breathing due to her badly swollen tongue and mouth.
Medics concluded it would have needed “significant” force to cause her injuries. Ms McCormack later left hospital but medical personnel noted that it was not known if she would make a full recovery.
Police Scotland welcomed the sentence of four years and eight months and praised Ms McCormack for her bravery. Chief Inspector Rhona Fraser, area commander of Renfrew, Johnstone, and the villages, said: “This was a particularly horrific domestic assault which left the victim with life-changing injuries.
“The abuse Ms McCormack suffered at the hands of her attacker was completely unacceptable. I welcome the significant sentence handed down to James McGarry at the High Court this week.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Ms McCormack who has conducted herself with the utmost dignity throughout this horrific ordeal.
“If you have been the victim of domestic violence please come forward to police. We will always listen to you and we will always investigate fully and you will be supported throughout.”
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