A Monifieth man has been banned from the whole of Carnoustie after a bust-up after the bells with the partner from whom he was supposed to stay away.
Alan Strachan had succumbed to temptation after being contacted by his girlfriend and asked to go round to her house to see in the new year.
He even bought the food and drink for the Hogmanay get together, but the season of goodwill came to an abrupt halt when Strachan was asked to leave and he reacted by stamping on the woman’s foot and repeatedly slapping her.
The 57-year-old appeared from custody at Forfar Sheriff Court where he admitted breaching bail at a house in Ravensby Park Gardens, Carnoustie on December 31, and assaulting a woman, while on bail.
Depute fiscal Laura McGillvery said the pair had been in a relationship for around 18 months, but Strachan was banned from seeing her as a result of special bail conditions put in place last May.
During the day on Hogmanay, the accused went to his partner’s house and they began drinking with another man.
“Around 6pm she went through to the bedroom to watch TV, the accused also went through and an argument ensued,” said the fiscal.
Strachan slapped the woman’s face before returning to the living room. She also returned and at around 8pm he stamped on her foot and slapped her again, leading to the other man calling police.
Defence solicitor Ian Myles said Strachan’s partner had made the initial contact to ask him round to see in the New Year and after initially declining he then bought food and alcohol and went to Carnoustie.
“He was asked to leave, but had bought the sustenance and alcohol. He understands he has an alcohol problem,” said the solicitor.
Sheriff Derek Reekie told Strachan, of Broomhill Drive, Monifieth: “Your record does you no favours – it is littered with the words domestic and bail.
“You have four convictions for breach of special bail conditions and the only thing that can be said in your favour is that the last conviction of this nature was eight years ago.
“It is open to me to remand you in custody for the preparation of a report, but just by the skin of your teeth I will grant you bail.
“It is a close call and I really have to give you the sternest of warnings about what will happen if you are back here again in the meantime.”
Sentence was deferred for a month for the preparation of a criminal justice report and a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment.
