Community service for Melanie Petrie over assaulting five-year-old

A Dundee woman who admitted assaulting a five-year-old has been sentenced to 80 hours’ community service at the city’s sheriff court.

Melanie Petrie (31), of Lomond Place, had earlier admitted assaulting the girl at an address in Dundee on June 15, 2009, by holding her by the neck and pushing her on to a bed to her injury.

The court earlier heard that bruising was spotted by a teacher who immediately reported it to police.

The girl was questioned at school and told staff she had been “battered” by Petrie.

A doctor who examined the child said that the bruising to the neck and behind her left ear had not been accidental.