‘Angry’ Blairgowrie woman made false claim of attack by partner

A Perthshire woman who lied to police that her partner had “battered” her has been given a community payback order at Perth Sheriff Court.

The court heard Natalie Pritchard, 21, of Myrtle Park, Blairgowrie, admitted that on March 4 at Blairgowrie Police Station, Ericht Lane, Blairgowrie, she wasted police time by falsely stating she had been assaulted by a man.

Depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston said: “The accused phoned police and claimed she had been battered by her partner and that she was petrified.

“Then, on March 19, she contacted the procurator fiscal to tell them she had fabricated the story as she was extremely angry at her partner.”

The court heard that, when interviewed by police, she admitted she had previously lied about the alleged assault, and said that the complainer had not hit her.

“She said she was sorry for wasting police time,” Ms Kynaston added.

Defence solicitor Mike Tavendale said the offence was “out of character” for Pritchard.

She was placed on a community payback order for nine months.