A long-running family feud ended in a pub assault, Arbroath Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Gemma Leigh Fisher, 21, of Almerie Close, Arbroath, admitted assaulting her uncle’s partner in a bar earlier this year.
Fisher admitted that on January 27 at the Anchor Public Bar, Keptie Street, she assaulted Irene Elliott by lunging at her, seizing her by the hair and pulling a clump of her hair out, to her injury.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said Elliott and her partner had been drinking for a couple of hours before Fisher came into the pub.
She said: “At 12.45am the accused entered the bar and the staff advised her they were closing and refused to sell her alcohol.
“Her attention was drawn to Elliot, who was drinking with her uncle Mathieson, and a disagreement ensued.
“Fisher was then seen to lunge at the complainer, take hold of her by the hair with both hands and pull forcibly, causing a large clump of her hair to come away in her hands.
“The accused continued to hold on to the complainer’s hair tightly, who screamed in pain. She was ejected from the pub and the police were called.”
Defence agent Billy Rennie said the attack was the result of a disagreement between Fisher’s father and uncle.
“They have not spoken to each other over the course of several years,” he said.
“Apparently the complainer has caused a number of problems at the accused’s grandfather’s funeral and while she goes about her daily life in Arbroath, she is met with abuse, with her uncle issuing threats towards her father.
“Her uncle’s partner is seen to take pleasure in this and joins in, laughing.
“On the date of the offence, she had been drinking and words were exchanged.”
Mr Rennie added that Fisher, a part-time hairdresser, had seen her uncle and his partner since but had not responded to them gesturing at her.
Sheriff Peter Paterson fined Fisher £200, reduced from £300 due to her early plea, and made a compensation order for £100.