Easter Ross first offender (61) pays price for domestic assault
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A 61-year-old Easter Ross man has notched up his first criminal conviction after admitting assaulting his wife.
Andrew Still of Nigg pushed the woman to the floor and punched her on the face at the couple’s home on February 11.
Tain Sheriff Court was told Still had left the property to “carry out some odd jobs” and returned an hour and a half later intoxicated.
Procurator fiscal depute Pauline Gair said: “Mr Still started being abusive towards the complainer. He made comments to her and an argument ensued.
“There was some aggression and the accused pushed the complainer to the ground with force and punched her on her face. She managed to get to her feet and reported the matter to police who thereafter arrived.”
She told Sheriff Gary Aitken that the woman had reddening, swelling and bruising to her left eye as well as scratch marks on her chin.
Defence agent Neil Wilson said Still was a first offender. He was employed in the oil industry but had not been working during lockdown. “It was a drunken argument and Mr Still accepts that he overreacted,” said the lawyer.
He added: “I cannot say whether the relationship is over as my client has been respecting the bail conditions for the duration of this case.”
Sheriff Aitken fined Still £450 and in addition imposed a £20 victim’s surcharge - a penalty to provide compensation for the victims of crime.
However, the sheriff fell short of imposing a non-harassment order.
He said: “I am satisfied that a non-harassment order is not necessary for the protection of the complainer.”
