A thug who punched his former partner on the face the day she found out her stepfather had died has been banned from entering Dundee.
Ronan Blair, 23, hit his ex-girlfriend so hard her lip split, the city’s sheriff court heard.
Blair, a prisoner at Perth, was granted bail after admitting smacking the woman during a drunken bust-up at her home on March 3 this year.
As part of his conditions of release, Blair will only be allowed to set foot in the city boundaries to meet with his legal team and attend court dates.
The handy-man admitted his crime via video link from HMP Perth at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Cocktail bowls
Depute fiscal Carol Doherty told the court: “The accused and the complainer had been in a relationship for about five years.
“On the day of the incident the complainer received news her stepfather had passed away.
“She fixed drinks for herself and the accused – cocktail bowls.
“At around 5.15pm on the same day the complainer made a call to her mother.
“On her return from the bedroom, the accused grabbed her phone.
“The complainer kept it in her pocket, the accused became very angry.
“He has grabbed the complainer and punched her to the head, causing her lip to burst and a lump to form.
“Police were contacted. The accused made no reply when cautioned and charged.”
Banned from Dundee
Defence solicitor for Blair, Jim Laverty, said: “He has previous convictions.
“He can be placed on bail in Edinburgh and not return to Dundee.
“The relationship has ceased.
“He had taken a significant amount of alcohol.
“He accepts the way he acted was completely disproportionate and wrong.”
Deferring sentence, Sheriff Alastair Carmichael said: “I am going to continue this for reports and a restriction of liberty assessment.
“I am going to grant you bail, with the extra conditions you do not contact the complainer or enter Dundee, except for court meetings.
“There will be a non-harassment order against you for the complainer for two years.
“You have a whole host of convictions for breaking these sort of orders.
“If you breach this one you will go straight to jail from court.”
Blair will be allowed to return to Dundee for sentencing on May 27.
