A Broughty Ferry accountant got drunk and punched his partner twice in her eye.
Rodney Harris, 61, also shouted and swore at police, calling them “Nazis” and threatening to kill them after they moved to arrest him.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard how the management accountant hit his partner during a day-drinking session in November 2021 at their Dornoch Place home.
He had become aggressive after both had “become intoxicated”, before lashing out at the woman, twice striking her on her left eye.
He has two previous convictions including domestic assault — for which he was admonished in 2019.
The offences
Depute fiscal Lynn Mannion said: “They had consumed alcohol.
“The accused was intoxicated and became aggressive with her.
“He entered the bedroom, where the complainer had gone and he threw her slippers at her, before punching her twice on the left eye.”
Police arrived shortly after 9pm.
“They saw the complainer had a swollen and bloody eye.
“She told police Harris had punched her.
“He was arrested.
“He became aggressive with officers and said they were ‘Nazis’.
“The complainer was taken to Ninewells for examination.
“She had an abrasion and swelling to her left eye but no permanent injury.”
‘Unhealthy relationship’
Solicitor Jim Caird, in mitigation for Harris, said his client has since moved away from the area.
“He is 61, he has moved to Dunstable in Bedfordshire and has remained away from the complainer.
“He is employed as a management accountant.
“He had been out of work but has been able to start again recently.
“He had been in a relationship with the complainer for about 10 years.
“He fully accepts his guilt and is truly ashamed of his actions.”
He said it was “an unhealthy relationship” and “there had been an argument about the dangerous levels of drinking she was doing”.
Mr Caird added: “He has moved and his drinking is under control.
“He is extremely ashamed of his behaviour.”
Impact statement
Harris, of Lincoln Way, Dunstable, admitted assaulting his former partner and acting in a threatening and abusive manner towards police in November 2021.
A victim impact statement, written by the complainer’s sister, was considered by Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown.
The court heard the victim has become unable to write for herself due to a condition unrelated to Harris’ assault.
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown deferred sentence for criminal and social work reports and a restriction of liberty assessment, and continued Harris’ bail until May 17.
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