A man accused of hitting a colleague with a four-foot baton has been found not guilty of assault.
A jury at Perth Sheriff Court took just over an hour to reach a majority verdict, clearing David Deuchars, 28, of assaulting plumber Mark McFadden, 29, at the accused’s home in Glenlyon Road, Perth, on February 4.
He had been accused of hitting him with a piece of wood and then repeatedly punching him on the head and body.
Deuchars told the court he had been “apprehensive” about asking the other man to his house to discuss an outstanding bill.
The court heard that Deuchars, a self-employed joiner, had worked with Mr McFadden and had made a part-payment of a bill which totalled around £2,500 but refused to settle the rest until correct invoices were produced.
Deuchars said that Mr McFadden arrived at his house at around 6.30pm with a folder and they then “grabbed” each other.
“Fists were flying” after Mr McFadden “invaded” his space, he said.
The court heard that the pair “rolled about” from the kitchen area to the vestibule and to the front door.
Deuchars said he cut his head on a radiator and that he did not know how Mr McFadden ended up with a broken cheekbone that later required surgery.