A Dundee man who assaulted his estranged wife has been ordered to complete 250 hours of community service.
Businessman Gary Harper (62), of Perth Road, who said he was in turmoil about the break-up of his marriage, was a leading figure in the regeneration of Dundee city centre in the 1990s.
He was also a director of Century 21 (Homes) and of Fordlane Ltd and Homespares Ltd.
Harper had previously denied assaulting his estranged wife by punching her on the face and seizing her by the arm all to her injury at Fairfield Road, Broughty Ferry, on December 11 last year, but was found guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court by Sheriff McDonald.
Harper’s representative Ronnie Renucci said: “He had been of good character for 60 years and these offences were out of character and brought about by a very painful break-up. He retains the support of his family and friends and his former wife’s family.”
He added: “It was a single punch. It was not a sustained assault and the injuries were minor and I believe a community service order would be an appropriate punishment. He would be extremely vulnerable in prison.”
Mr Renucci added that Harper had an offer of a job in Peterborough and if he was able to avoid jail he planned to move there.
Sheriff McDonald said: “You were convicted of, in my view, a serious offence. It was not just a punch you also seized her by the arm, lodging it in the steering wheel and she sustained an injury.
“You have a previous conviction for another offence that arose from this marital dispute.
“I would be entitled to impose a custodial sentence. However, as an alternative, I order you to complete 250 hours of community service within 12 months.”