A MOTHER has claimed the justice system let down her tragic daughter after her domestic abuser received a community sentence.

Gillian McAuley, 38, took her own life in October 2012 after being attacked by Sean Lees during a caravan holiday. She was unaware that he had a violent past.

Margaret Crainey, who found her daughter, was critical of a sheriff for failing to impose a custodial sentence on the 49-year-old yesterday.

It came after a jury found him guilty of the attack on Ms McAuley and another woman at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

He was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and placed on probation for two years.

Visibly angry, Mrs Crainey said outside court: "I am absolutely gutted by the sheriff's decision. Justice has not been served for my daughter.

"For him to put her and another woman through hell and not get some punishment is a disgrace.

"I am finding it really hard without Gillian and this has just broken my heart.

"I did everything I could to bring Sean Lees to court and get justice for her and he has walked away free."

She added: "This sends out the wrong message to other women who are thinking about reporting domestic abuse."

Ms McAuley was terrified of plant operator Lees and was found dead at her home in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire, by her mother in October, 2012.

Following the tragedy, Mrs Crainey spoke to police about Lees and a former girlfriend of his came forward to claim he had also attacked her.

Lees, of Kilsyth, was found guilty last month of attacking Ms McAuley and three other assaults on ex-partner Gwen Dingwall.

Ms McAuley's evidence against Lees was led in court to convince the jury to find him guilty.

But Sheriff Morag Galbraith allowed him to serve an unpaid work order after hearing from his defence solicitor, Ross Brown.

He added: "He is a man of 49 years of age and he has been considerably effected by this whole prosecution."

The lawyer said social workers had recommended Lees would benefit from a supervision order. The court heard he had been badly affected by the incident.

Sentencing Lees, Sheriff Morag Galbraith said the attacks on the two women were very serious matters, deliberate and unprovoked, but added she was satisfied a custodial sentence could be avoided.

Mrs Crainey, of Kilsyth, said: "Her death has left a big void in our family and I miss her every day.

"Gillian was a happy, bubbly, caring person until she met him. Her personality totally changed and she seemed very vulnerable and frightened.

The carer added: "I could tell she was having a lot of trouble with him."

Lees attacked Ms McAuley in Callander by hitting her on the face and dragging her around by her hair.

His trial heard a tape of a 999 call Ms McAuley made to emergency services pleading for help. He refused to comment.

Heather Williams, manager of Ross-shire Women's Aid, said: "Domestic abuse is a serious issue, which can do untold damage to the women experiencing it. We need a court system that's able to take these cases seriously, however they transpire, and urge anyone living with domestic abuse to contact support agencies and seek help."