A woman dialled 999 after her ex-husband slapped and punched her, a court has heard.
Perth Sheriff Court was told John Elder, 65, of Park Place, Perth, arrived at his ex-wife’s house late one afternoon in November.
Depute fiscal Tina Dickie said the accused “became aggressive” towards her and an argument broke out.
She said: “The accused had gone into a bedroom but later came out and started shouting again.
“The woman told him to get out of the house but he grabbed her hair and began repeatedly slapping her.
“He then punched her on the right side of her face.”
She said the woman called the police despite Elder trying to grab the phone from her.
“Officers arrived and noticed the woman had reddening and bruising to her face but she didn’t require medical attention,” Ms Dickie added.
Solicitor Cheryl McKnight said her client had retired in July last year but “didn’t know what to do with himself”.
“He ended up drinking far more than he was used to,” she said. “This became a pattern.”
Mrs McKnight said her client had “very little” recollection of events that day.
Elder admitted that on November 17 2015 at Market Street, Perth, he assaulted his ex-wife by seizing her by her hair, repeatedly slapping her on the face, punching her on the face and also shaking her.
Sentencing, Sheriff William Wood told him: “You’re a 65-year-old man who had a long working life and would be surprised to be in court. However, it’s all gone a bit pear-shaped for you.”
Elder was fined £540 and told to pay £150 compensation.