Violenceat holidaylodge

Violence erupted at a Perthshire holiday lodge after a couple booked in, ostensibly for a romantic weekend, aimed at sorting out their rocky relationship.

But after a lengthy drinking session, the idyllic break in Logierait turned sour and 43-year-old Ronald Rankine subjected his partner to a sustained attack, at one point delivering several blows to her head with a frying pan.

Residents in an adjoining lodge heard Sharon Bell’s terrified cries for help - and the police were alerted.

They could hear the commotion from inside but Rankine kicked off at them as they arrested him.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Perth Royal Infirmary where she was treated for a gash to the top of her head and contusions to her elbow.

The incident led to Rankine being jailed for 19 weeks at Perth Sheriff Court.

He admitted assaulting his partner at the Don Lodge, Logierait Pine Lodges, Main Road, Logierait, on October 29 - and then resisting arrest.

Depute fiscal Tina Dickie said they had been in a relationship for about three years and had booked into the accommodation for a weekend break to“address problems in their relationship.”

Sheriff William Wood said that given the level of violence and the sustained nature of the attack, a custodial sentence was appropriate.

“This is not the sort of conduct which can be condoned or minimised in any way.”