SOLDIER FINED FOR ASSAULTING AND DETAINING EX-FIANCÉE WITH SCISSORS
A soldier who detained his former fiancée in a bedroom and assaulted her has been given a fine, but may still face internal military discipline.Robin Nicol, aged 20, approached the woman at her home on January 21 of this year and entered her house uninvited, according to Inverness Sheriff Court proceedings.He then proceeded to her bedroom, which he locked.
Once inside, he grabbed a pair of scissors from the dressing table and brandished them at her, with the court prosecutor Ruaridh Allison describing Nicol as being "acting in an extremely agitated manner".The altercation between the couple only ended after other people at the scene managed to access the room and take the scissors away from him.
However, the court heard that Nicol, a private with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, claimed that he only took hold of the scissors after the woman initially brandished them and was disarmed by him.
Defense lawyer Willie Young explained that his client, who was previously regarded by a military superior as a "highly motivated, disciplined and promising young soldier," admitted his conduct was inappropriate and immature.Nicol was subsequently arrested at Fort George Barracks later that night and released from custody.
Later, he was caught violating bail conditions by approaching the woman in the street on March 4, and calling out to her.
The court considered these actions a breach of the restrictions placed on him.The case has serious implications for Nicol's military career.
His solicitor highlighted that his conduct jeopardized his position in the army, even though he maintained an otherwise exemplary service record.
The court judge Sheriff Aitken imposed fines of £500 for the assault and £340 for breaching bail conditions.
