A farmer butted his pensioner mother when she tried to evict him from his home.
David Fernie (46), of Bowton Road, Kinross, launched the vicious attack when 65-year-old Carol Gibson ordered him from the house, in which he had been living rent free.
Perth Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Fernie had had a tumultuous relationship with his mother since early childhood and he had finally lost his temper. He admitted assaulting her by butting her on the face to her injury at Tannerhill Farm, Milnathort, on October 1.
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said, “The house is the property of the accused’s mother and her sister-in-law. The house had been for sale for some time and by the day in question that had been sorted. The two women went to speak to the accused to advise him of this and that sparked off an argument.
“The complainer was already apprehensive about what the reaction would be because he would have to move out of the accommodation. He didn’t take it well and there was an argument and the culmination was the accused came up close to the complainer and then head-butted her in the face.”
Mr Brown said Ms Gibson required two stitches in a wound to her eye as well as suffering bruising on her face.
Solicitor David Holmes said his client had been living there for several years and had been given just two days to leave following its sale. He had recently suffered from depression following the death of his father, to whom he was particularly close.
He said Fernie’s issues with Ms Gibson were caused because he was sent to live with his grandmother at an early age while his brother remained at home as “the favoured son.”
Mr Holmes added, “The issue that led to this was nothing to do with payment of rent. His mother had attended with the other party and effectively told him he was to get out the house by Monday. Words were exchanged and he struck her.”
He did leave the farmhouse and has since been living in temporary accommodation and is awaiting delivery of his possessions left in the house.
Fernie was fined £300.