A jealous Angus man who spat in his girlfriend’s face at a nightclub has been told to behave himself for six months.
Gavin Cook and his partner were said to be “as bad as each other” during an argument which broke out at De Vito’s in Arbroath in June but, after manhandling the female on the dancefloor, the accused spat directly in her face.
Cook, 20, of Great Michael Road, Arbroath, appeared before Sheriff Pino Di Emidio at Forfar on Tuesday where he admitted assaulting the woman by seizing her and spitting on her and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said the accused, his girlfriend and another person had been out in Arbroath and at around 1am were in the nightclub.
“For reasons unknown, the accused’s manner changed and he became angry and agitated,” she said.
Cook grabbed the young woman’s arm, twisted her towards him and then spat right in her face, shouting at her.
Others intervened and Cook left the premises but was found by police nearby.
The incident was captured on CCTV, the court heard.
Defence agent Billy Rennie said: “Until the spitting, they were both probably as bad as each other. When they are sober they get on but with a drink they both become jealous.”
He said there had been a shouting match after she believed she had seen Cook cuddling another person.
“Unfortunately he took it too far and spat at her in the heat of the moment.
“The complainer’s own conduct leading to this was a contributory factor but they are now reconciled,” added Mr Rennie.
Deferring sentence until April 2 for good behaviour, Sheriff Di Emidio told Cook: “The court is putting you in a position of trust.
“Although your previous convictions do not have a domestic aspect to them, you should be mindful that all options remain open, but in the first instance I will allow the dust to settle.”