A man who “slashed” his girlfriend with a kitchen knife has been sentenced to 220 hours of unpaid work.
Barry Hendry, of The Bungalow, North Auchry Farm Cottage, Auchterhouse, admitted assaulting a woman on March 8 at a house in South Road. Dundee, by punching her and presenting a knife at her.
He also previously admitted that on the same date he assaulted a man by punching him on the body and hitting him on the head with a brick, and assaulting another man by punching him.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson told Forfar Sheriff Court Hendry had been at a party and was arguing with his cousin when the woman intervened.
Hendry seized her and pulled her into the living room.
“The accused then went into the kitchen and came back with a large blue-handled knife and went outside,” she said.
“The woman followed outside to find the accused and another man on the landing. It was clear there was a disagreement. She tried to be a peacemaker.
“Hendry struck the man on the head with a brick and punched him on the body. He then raised the knife to shoulder height. In doing so the knife struck the woman on the hand, causing a minor cut.”
He continued: “He apologised and she took the brick from his back pocket and threw it away.”
Hendry, 22, was also sentenced for causing fear and alarm to a different woman by repeatedly texting, calling and sending Facebook messages to her on December 9 and 10 last year.
“She received 18 messages on Facebook, three text messages and numerous phone calls,” added Mrs Anderson.
“She contacted police because she had concerns for his welfare and wanted the messages to stop.
“While the police were there Hendry sent another 12 Facebook messages, three text messages and three phone calls.”
Defence agent Jim Laverty said his client realised he had an alcohol problem. He said: “He accepts his drinking was completely and utterly out of control.
“It took a spell in prison to bring home the fact he was not only destroying his own life but the lives of others around him.
“He made significant use of the services at HMS Perth in relation to mental health and drinking. Since his release on June 17 he reports that he has not been using alcohol.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray sentenced Hendry to a community payback order of 220 hours of unpaid work with a requirement to engage with the drug and alcohol team as an alternative to jail.