TOURIST WHO ASSAULTED HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW WITH A METAL POLE IN PERTHSHIRE AVOIDS PRISON WITH UNPAID WORK
A tourist attacked his elderly mother-in-law with a metal pole during a disastrous summer break in Highland Perthshire.David Mitchell spent a night in the cells after lashing out at the 78-year-old and three other relatives at the luxury Moness Resort, near Aberfeldy.
Events spiralled out of control after the 53-year-old became jealous of his wife Fiona’s friendship with a male neighbour.
He sulked on the first day of the trip and slapped Mrs Mitchell across the face during a family dinner.
Mitchell then assaulted their 18-year-old daughter Sarah when she came to her mother’s defence.
Later that night, he put his brother-in-law in a headlock and pinned him to the bedroom floor.
The day before the holiday, Mitchell and his wife were in the garden of their home in Livingston, West Lothian.
Residents had heard raised voices coming from the property.
Mr Mitchell had taken umbrage to his wife’s friendship with a male neighbour.
His voice became higher in pitch and volume.
He pushed his wife, causing her to fall through an open set of patio doors onto the floor.
This incident was not reported to police at the time.
The following day, the family was staying at the Aberfeldy resort, and Mitchell was described as being in a sullen mood.
During dinner, he became agitated at his wife and struck her on the face with an open hand.
Sarah Mitchell tried to defend her mother, and Mitchell kicked her to the leg.
Later, brother-in-law David Smith checked on Mitchell and found him asleep in the bathroom after forcing entry into his cottage.
Mitchell then confronted his mother-in-law Nancy Bell at her holiday cottage, striking her on the back of her leg with a metal pole and accusing her of sending Mr Smith to her.
Police were called and Mitchell was arrested.
He told police, 'I deny everything' and 'I was asleep, they assaulted me.' The solicitor representing Mitchell stated that alcohol and prescription medication played a significant part in his behaviour and that Mitchell had no recollection of the events, but he accepted the police report.
Mitchell, whose address was listed as 'no fixed abode,' is staying with his mother in Edinburgh and pleaded guilty to five charges of assault.
The court heard that his wife wishes to keep the family together.
Sheriff Neil Bowie ordered Mitchell to complete 150 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody, noting that this conduct was very out of character for him and that he is a first-time offender at age 53.
