Perth man fined after attacking beggar in wheelchair

PERTH MAN FINED AFTER ATTACKING BEGGAR IN WHEELCHAIR

An Perth man has been fined after throwing a one-legged beggar from his wheelchair.

Andrew Robertson appeared at Perth Sheriff Court to be sentenced for attacking David Phillips outside the Tulloch Co-op on October 24 last year.

Prosecutor Andrew Harding explained Mr Phillips had been sitting in his chair outside the shop shortly before 11am, asking passers-by to buy him cigarettes.

“There was a heated exchange of words,” he said.

“Andrew Robertson admitted he then seized Mr Phillips by the clothing, pulled him from his wheelchair and threw him to the ground, removed his hat from his head and then repeatedly attempted to pull him from his wheelchair.

After Mr Phillips got back in his chair, he asked another person to contact police.” Defence solicitor Lyndsey Barber explained her client’s wife worked in the shop from which Mr Phillips was banned for years and when Robertson refused to buy the beggar cigarettes, he responded with a remark about the attacker’s wife.

She said: “He behaved extremely poorly, that is something we can’t get away from.

“He accepts the red mist descended.

He let himself down.

“He’s apologised for his behaviour.

It is an extremely repugnant set of circumstances.” The 63-year-old, of Nimmo Place in Perth, attended court on crutches and was fined £420 altogether by Sheriff Clair McLachlan.

She said: “I’ve taken on board that you’ve shown remorse.

It does appear to be out of character for you.”