Former Partick Thistle & Morton player denies attacking girlfriend

Jai Quitongo is accused of grabbing her wrists and seizing her neck to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment.

Glasgow Sheriff Court
Author: Kerri-Ann DochertyPublished 15th Oct 2019
Last updated 15th Oct 2019

A former Partick Thistle footballer is on trial accused of dragging and pushing his 22-year-old girlfriend down a flight of stairs.

Jai Quitongo, 22, denies attacking his partner Lauren Smith outside her house in December last year.

He also accused of grabbing her wrists and seizing her neck to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment.

The trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court from neighbours who claimed to have heard the pair arguing.

In evidence Catherine Munro, 55, told the jury that she believed the incident was witnessed by Quitongo’s footballer father Jose Quitongo.

Her sister, Yvonne, 51, told the court that she had to intervene in the alleged dispute and added: “The woman was being dragged by Jai into the path and then the close.

“She was being dragged by her hair or her wrists backwards.

“She was going back head first, that’s when we had enough and put our shoes and jackets on.”

The pair told the court they raced across the road and Jose asked them to phone the police.

When they arrived at Lauren's house, they said she was lying curled up on the couch.

Catherine said: “She was crying and shaking, Jai was standing up and then sat next to her.

“He was calm and said he didn’t do anything.

“He was told to leave by Yvonne go and get his dad by Lauren Smith, but he refused.”

Catherine Munro drove Lauren to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after she saw a bone popped out of her wrist.

A 999 call was made, but the Quitongos left the house before they arrived.

Lauren Smith's mother, Lyn Smith 49, said her daughter told her she “fell down some stairs.”

Lauren Smith then told her mother she was going to meet Jai and a friend and head into a nightclub in town.

The mother added that the pair were close before the incident but have been “distant” since.

The trial continues before Sheriff Lindsay Wood.

Quitongo, who denies the charges against him, last played for Iranian side Machine Sazi but has also appeared for Greenock Morton.

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