Fractured ex-partner’s rib

A man left his ex-partner doubled up in pain on her bedroom floor after an argument over a family pet.

Six-foot plus Martin Rogalski, of John Law Court, Auchterarder, punched the woman on the body five weeks after they had separated.

A young child playing outside heard the victim screaming inside the property in the Lang Toon’s Abbey Road - and shouting for help - as Rogalski (30) walked off, Perth Sheriff Court was told this week.

Initially the woman, who suffered bruising and tenderness to the left side of her body and rib cage, was “reluctant” to call the police.

She was seen by her GP but “declined” further medical attention.

Two days later, however, she began to suffer “pain and discomfort” and her doctor referred her to Perth Royal Infirmary.

“At that stage she was complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath,” depute fiscal John Malpass told the court.

An X-Ray revealed a fracture to her 10th rib which had led to a partial collapse of her left lung.

As a consequence of that, the police were informed and Rogalski was traced.

He appeared on indictment and admitted the assault on his former partner, to her severe injury, at her home on October 24, 2016.

Part of the charge which alleged that he “repeatedly” punched her was deleted.

He will discover his fate on June 7 after a Community Justice Social Work report - and a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment - are prepared.

Mr Malpass said they had been in a relationship for about four years but hadn’t lived together during that time.

The complainer had contacted the accused in relation to the state of health of a family dog.

“The accused had attended and an argument had ensued over the appropriate treatment of the dog.”

The assault took place during the course of a subsequent verbal argument.

The victim was “reluctant” to call the police at that time and instead telephoned her aunt who works in a medical practice.

That resulted in a visit from her doctor. He subsequently attended a second time and that resulted in the hospital visit.

The woman was prescribed painkillers but then decided to contact the police.

Solicitor Linda Clark said she would reserve her plea in mitigation until the reports had been prepared.

Deferring sentence meantime, Sheriff William Wood told Rogalski: “Clearly this is a serious matter.

“You struck the complainer with substantial force and the court will have to take that into account before deciding what the proper course of action will be.”

The accused had his bail continued meantime. top of that, Perth Sheriff Court was told this week.

Despite his “formidable record,” he narrowly escaped a jail sentence.

But his liberty will be restricted for the next 27 weeks after he was ordered to be tagged - and will have to stay indoors from 7pm-7am, seven days a week.

He was also banned for 27 months and will have to sit the extended driving test before he can get behind the wheel again.

In addition, his Ford Zetec Hatchback was ordered to be forfeited and he will have to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work.

He admitted driving dangerously in Perth’s Feus Road - and while unfit through drink or drugs - on January 21 this year.

Imposing the penalties, Sheriff William Wood told him: “To get behind the wheel of a car when you have taken a cocktail of methadone and valium tablets is extremely dangerous - almost reckless.”

Depute fiscal Carol Whyte said a motorist in front of the accused looked in her rear view mirror and saw McBride driving at “excessive speed.”

He then overtook her, crossing into the northbound lane before mounting the pavement.

He then drove at “high speed” for approximately 15 metres, partially on the pavement and partially on the road, before colliding with the other car.

Police were called and they “thought he was under the influence of drink or drugs.”

He gave a negative roadside breath test but was taken to Perth Police HQ where a forensic medical examiner concluded he had drugs in his system.

Solicitor Paul Ralph conceded his client had a lengthy record but urged the sheriff to stop short of jailing him.

To his credit, he had stopped at the accident scene.

Sheriff Wood said he had given “serious thought” to jailing McBride but his record didn’t include any previous road traffic matters of “any significance.”

He was seen lurking across the road from her work, staring at her through the window.

She became so frightened that friends would walk her to her mother’s car - and she would call her mum if she was walking anywhere in case anything happened.

Metrikis, described as a prisoner at Perth, also managed to contact her on social media, repeatedly making unwanted ‘friend’ requests.

He also sent a picture of himself - and eventually disclosed his name.

His second victim’s ordeal took place over a two-day period from December 26-28 last year.

He would repeatedly turn up at her work, engage her in conversation and handed over a written communication.

The police became involved in both cases and Metrikis was traced.

Metrikis, who was subject to two bail orders at the time of the offences, will discover his fate on June 19.

Sheriff Lindsay called for psychiatric, psychological and social work reports on him and remanded him in custody meantime.

He was holding a small freezer bag containing cannabis and although alerted by two girls who were present, he was apprehended.

When searched, he was found to have more than £100 in his possession, along with two mobile phones, according to depute fiscal Carol Whyte.

A further search at the police station led to officers seizing another small bag of “vegetable matter” found in his jeans pocket.

A rucksack he had with him also contained a further £500.

“In total, seven grammes of cannabis were recovered with an estimated value of £70,” added the fiscal.

The phones were examined and from text messages arranging meetings at the building, officers were of the opinion that he was concerned in the supply of the Class B drug.

Adams, of Commissioner Street, Crieff, admitted dealing in cannabis at the Crieff location on August 6 last year.

Solicitor Linda Clark said that the charge covered just one day and it wasn’t the “most significant” amount of drugs recovered.

A defence expert had concluded that his actions were “at the extreme bottom end of the dealing network.”

Adams was ordered to take part in the Right Track scheme meantime but was told that wasn’t the end of the matter.

He will return to court on August 16 when his progress on the scheme, designed to keep youngsters on the straight and narrow, will be reviewed.

Sheriff William Wood warned: “Clearly dealing in any sort of drug is a serious matter and can attract a custodial sentence.”

You struck the complainer with substantial force and the court will have to take that into account