Dating agency find led to man assaulting ex-partner

A man who assaulted his former partner after discovering she was using a dating agency has been ordered to carry out 125 hours’ unpaid work.

Perth Sheriff Court heard Ryan Bell, 26, of Edinburgh Road, Perth, looked at his ex-partner’s mobile phone and found she was using the site.

Bell admitted that on May 4 at Rutherford Court, St Andrews Street, Perth, he assaulted a woman by pulling her hair, striking her on the head and biting her nose.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson said: “The accused struck the girl with the back of his hand. She was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary and found to have bruising and swelling on her face.”

Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, described the incident as “unpleasant.”

“My client asked the girl to explain this but the argument became more heated and he completely overreacted.”