Public apology from man after ‘aberration’ led him to assault wife

A man who punched his wife of 16 years after a 12-hour barbecue drinking session has been fined £550.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard Ian Esslemont is a highly-motivated and well-paid worker but suffered an “aberration” in July after the summer celebration turned sour.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said an argument had broken out between the accused and his wife and he began to call her names, then punched her on the face and slapped her.

She suffered a bleeding nose and when police arrived was in a state of considerable upset, the court heard.

Defence solicitor Nick Markowski said: “Mr Esslemont has asked me to apologise publicly for the incident at their home back in July.

“There had been a family barbecue and he and his wife had continued drinking. When this happened they had been drinking for in excess of 12 hours so they were extremely intoxicated.

“They have been married 16 years, neither of them condone domestic violence and they are keen to put this matter behind them.

“He has very limited recollection of the incident and this appears to be entirely out of character for Mr Esslemont.”