DALMELLINGTON MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER ASSAULTING EX OVER PET ARGUMENT
A row over family pets ended with John Thomson, of Bellsbank Crescent, Dalmellington, assaulting his ex-partner.Thomson admitted to assaulting the woman by pushing her and seizing hold of her in February.
He had consumed a half bottle of whisky prior to the incident.
The 57-year-old appeared before Sheriff Mhari Mactaggart at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.
The court was informed that the couple had been in a relationship for 27 years, which had ended two years earlier, but they continued to live together with their adult children.
The depute fiscal, Stephen McLean, stated that the woman returned home around 6 pm and found Thomson intoxicated.
An argument about the dogs escalated when Thomson would not allow her to take the dogs downstairs, prompting their 25-year-old son to leave.
A short time later, on the stairs, Thomson pushed the woman, causing her to hold onto the banister, and later scratched her face, cutting her left cheek at the hands of Thomson in the living room.
Despite being asked to leave, Thomson refused, leading the woman to leave and seek refuge with friends.
The woman’s son learned of the incident, and police attended the address.
Defesa solicitor Mandy Malloy indicated that Thomson suffers from issues related to alcohol and mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and that he is self-medicating but receiving help.
As a sentence, Thomson was placed on a community payback order, under supervision for 18 months, with a review scheduled in three months.