Man ordered to seek alcohol treatment after drunken assault in Crieff

A Bankfoot man has been told he must address his “very serious problem with alcohol” if he is to avoid offending again.

Edward Townsley was ordered to seek alcohol treatment after being found guilty after trial of assaulting a man in Crieff’s West High Street on August 19 last year by punching him to the head and also committing a breach of the peace by making offensive remarks regarding sexual orientation.

Both offences were said to have been aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation.

Townsley (23), of Garry Place, also pled guilty to banging his fist on the bonnet of a Mini Cooper car and kicking and breaking its front grill in Perth High Street on October 20.

He was heavily inebriated on each occasion.

At Perth Sheriff Court, Sheriff Michael Fletcher said: “Twice in three months you have been so drunk that you have no idea what you are doing. Clearly you have a very serious problem with alcohol.”

He made Townsley subject to an 18-month community payback order and also ordered him to pay £100 compensation to the owner of the car.