Shire man (50) denies assault charge

A Perthshire man went on trial yesterday accused of a number of charges, including three of making offensive or inappropriate sexual comments to three different females.

He also faces a further count of attacking a teenager and then pinning him against a car bonnet.

Gavin Munro (50) of Bridge of Earn, has lodged a special defence of self-defence to that charge.

The accused, whose address was given on one set of court papers as West Cottage, Elliothead Farm, Bridge of Earn, faces six charges, including threatening violence to a teenager and repeatedly pulling at the arms and headrest of a wheelchair while a woman was sitting on it.

It is alleged that between March 1 and 31, 2014, at a house in Bridge of Earn, he made the inappropriate sexual remarks to the first female.

A second charge, involving a different woman, is said to have happened at the same property on November 16, 2014.

A third charge, involving another female, is alleged to have taken place at the same house on various occasions between December 1, 2010, and November 16, 2014.

Mr Munro also pled not guilty to punching the 19-year-old man on the head and body in that house and pinning him against a car bonnet, all to his injury.

A fifth charge alleges that on November 16, 2014, again at the house in Bridge of Earn, he acted in an aggressive manner, shouted and swore and threatened violence towards the same teen.

He is then said to have repeatedly pulled at the wheelchair and refused to leave the house when asked to do so.

A sixth charge alleges that at the same location - and again on November 16 - he wilfully or recklessly damaged the property by repeatedly punching walls, doors and light fittings.

A second complaint alleges Mr Munro shouted and swore in The Green Room, Canal Crescent, Perth, on June 19 last year, made threats of violence, gesticulated and brandished a bar stool.

He is than said to have issued challenges to fight and sent abusive and threatening text messages to the 19-year-old and another person.

His address was given on that complaint as Seal’s Bank Bridge Cottage, Bridge of Earn.

One of the alleged female victims spent all of yesterday morning giving her account of incidents involving the accused, who is the frontman for the Red Pine Timber Company.

She was then cross-examined by defence lawyer David Holmes.

The proceedings are expected to be adjourned until a later date.