Bosnia veteran turned to ‘legal highs’ before assaulting partner

A veteran of the Bosnian conflict turned to so-called “legal highs” before assaulting his partner, a court heard.

Colin Fraser from Arbroath appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting the woman in the town’s Westhaven Gardens, repeatedly seizing her by the neck, pushing her against a banister, and pushing her to the ground to her injury on March 2 this year.

The 36-year-old also admitted repeatedly threatening a police officer in Arbroath police station later on the same date.

Defending Fraser, solicitor Nick Markowski said: “At the time he was misusing cannabis but also a legal high that was akin to valium.”

Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said: “That doesn’t seem to have had the desired effect.”

Mr Markowski added: “He had been in the army.

“He experienced very horrific conditions in Bosnia, which had an impact on his mental health.”

Fraser was placed on an 18-month community payback order with conditions of supervision, and participation in the Fergus domestic abuse programme, and fined a total of £160.