A WOMAN was “treated like an animal” by her partner during a campaign of violent abuse.

Tomasso Palumbo, 56, was jailed for causing years of torment when he appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court accompanied by an Italian translator.

The victim’s ordeal took place at various addresses including in Dunfermline and Inverkeithing.

On one occasion the woman woke up to find Palumbo standing at the bottom of her bed holding a baseball bat and saying, “Sorry I’m going to have to kill you”.

She screamed for help and her dog became so agitated that it bit her on the neck.

In another incident at Craigmyle Street, Dunfermline, the couple were sitting on a sofa together when he suddenly punched her for no reason.

The abuse finally came to light when the woman attended the Job Centre accompanied by Palumbo.

She told staff she needed help as she was in an abusive relationship and he was escorted from the building as she sat “shaking and trembling”.

Palumbo, of Maitland Hog Lane, Kirkliston, admitted that between 1st March 2020 and 22nd August 2022 at King Street, Inverkeithing, Craigmyle Street, Dunfermline, Kirkliston and Edinburgh, he engaged in a course of abusive behaviour towards his partner.

He brandished a baseball bat at her, made threats to kill her, struggled with her, seized her by the body and held her on the ground.

He punched her on the head to her injury, slapped and kicked her on the head and body and compressed her neck, restricting her breathing, to her injury.

Palumbo refused to leave her home, pushed her, causing her to fall to the ground, seized her mobile phone and repeatedly struck her on the head with it, to her injury.

He locked windows and doors to prevent her from leaving different premises.

He followed her car and drove in close proximity to it.

The victim later told police: “I was controlled and I can’t put into words how I was treated.

“I now live in fear every day. This man treated me like an animal. I’m now receiving counselling and support from my GP. I live in fear regardless of bail restrictions.”

Sheriff Susan Duff jailed Palumbo for 26-and-a-half months.

She also imposed a three-year non-harassment order.