A WOMAN who helped her boyfriend batter a Barrhead dad so badly that he was left scarred for life has avoided a prison sentence.

Kelly Ferguson, 37, and John Lochlan, 32, set upon Matthew Pease at his home in Newton Avenue on November 16 last year.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard the attack took place following a row over money.

A schoolgirl who was in the house at the time gave evidence as she recalled seeing Mr Pease being battered in front of her.

She told the court Ferguson was in Mr Pease’s bedroom, looking for money. It was stated that, in the moments that followed, Lochlan stepped on the victim’s stomach and “stomped” on his face.

The court heard Mr Pease lost a tooth in the attack and has been left with a scar to his lip.

Ferguson, of Waverley Road, Paisley, admitted spitting on Mr Pease’s face and repeatedly kicking him on the body as well as behaving in a threatening or abusive way by shouting, demanding money and threatening violence.

Lochlan, of Houston Street, Renfrew, maintained his innocence and went on trial.

But a jury rejected his version of events and he was jailed for 18 months after being convicted of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Sentence on Ferguson was adjourned for background reports to be prepared and she returned to the dock on Friday to learn her fate.

Sheriff Tom McCartney told her: “This occurred at the victim’s house, where two children live, in the early hours of the morning and is a factor that I regard as making this matter much more serious.”

However, he spared Ferguson a prison sentence, instead placing her on a Community Payback Order which will see her supervised by social workers for the next 12 months.

She was also made the subject of a Restriction of Liberty Order for 135 days, which will see her fitted with an electronic tag and having to remain within her home between 9pm and 7am on Mondays to Fridays and 7pm to 7am on Saturdays and Sundays.