A row involving two prominent figures in the Dundee property scene ended with one of them in the dock at Cupar Sheriff Court.
Gary Harper (61), of Fairfield Road, Broughty Ferry, admitted the offence of “hamesucken” assault of a man in his own home invading the property of surveyor Paul Letley on June 29.
Harper had pleaded guilty to breaking into Mr Letley’s home at Dewars Mill, St Andrews, and assaulting him, brandishing a hammer at him and repeatedly punching him on the head.
He also admitted biting Mr Letley on the head and face and butting him, all to his injury.
Mr Letley’s partner Sally Cameron is married to Harper but it is understood the couple separated earlier this year.
Mr Letley said the incident had come as a shock, but he was not badly hurt, “It could have been a lot worse. It was 7am and I was just setting the breakfast table and Sally was in the shower.”
Mr Letley added, “It was a shock, particularly for Sally, because obviously she knew him well.
“Hopefully, that is the end of the matter and we can go on from this point and I hope that he can move on, as well.”
A spokesman for Harper said he had been advised by his solicitor not to say anything until the conclusion of the case.
Mr Letley is a senior partner with surveying firm J&E Shepherd.Property sceneAs a director of Century 21 (Homes), Gary Harper was seen as a leading figure in the regeneration of the centre of Dundee in the 1990s.
The company’s projects included the redevelopment of the former Royal Hotel in Union Street into flats and a similar project at former newspaper offices in Bank Street.
Mr Harper is listed as a director of two companies, Fordlane Limited and Homespares Ltd.
His wife Sally was also involved in a number of businesses in the city, including the former Galleon Bar and a neighbouring newsagent and coffee bar in Whitehall Crescent.
The case had been continued until Thursday following an earlier brief appearance, when background and community service reports, together with a restriction of liberty order assessment, were ordered.
However when the case called on Thursday solicitor Billy Boyle requested the matter should again be deferred to be dealt with by resident sheriff Charles Macnair, who is on holiday.
Sheriff George Way agreed this would be the most appropriate way to deal with the case, adding that the matter was a serious one involving the invasion of a house in the jurisdiction of the resident sheriff.
Sentence was further deferred on Harper to Monday.We have been asked to point out that Cupar-based Century 21 Estate Agents is in no way connected to Century 21 (Homes), referred to above.