Australian’s passport held until he pays £750 fine for assaulting fiancee

An Australian man has been fined £750 after admitting assaulting his fiancee during a holiday in Arbroath.

Bradley Spalding, 39, from Perth, Australia, will have his passport given back to him once he pays the fine imposed by Sheriff Peter Paterson.

He admitted assaulting his partner on June 10 at the Rosely House Hotel by seizing her by the hair, pushing her, causing her to fall to the ground, to her injury.

The alarm was raised by fellow guests and police found hair from the woman’s head on the pillow but she did not need hospital treatment.

A defence agent said: “Drink had been consumed by both parties but my client accepts sole responsibility for his actions in this matter.

“He has no other convictions other than a minor road traffic accident and this was completely out of character.”

He said Spalding and his fiance travelled to Angus in June and still intend to go ahead with the wedding despite the incident.

Sheriff Paterson said it was a serious incident and the fine would have been £1,000, but for Spalding’s early plea.