Man viciously attacked by ex in street

A confrontation in a Perthshire street led to a local man being viciously attacked by his ex-girlfriend and her new partner in broad daylight.

Perth Sheriff Court was told this week that 37-year-old Ian Cruickshank was repeatedly punched and kicked on the head and body during the incident, described by one eyewitness as “horrific.”

Thirty-one-year-old Kimberley Bruce, of Arthur Street, and Daniel Hughes (28), of Allan Street, both Blairgowrie, had both denied the assault in Croft Lane, Blairgowrie, on April 24 this year.

But Sheriff Lindsay Foulis convicted Bruce of kicking the victim, deleting the allegation of punching him.

Hughes, previously of Strathmore Street, Coupar Angus, was found guilty of kicking and punching Mr Cruickshank.

Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr said it was a“matter of credibility and reliability”but he asked the sheriff to accept the evidence of two people who had witnessed what had taken place.

Solicitor Paul Ralph urged the sheriff to find the charge not proven“to his satisfaction and beyond reasonable doubt.”

He submitted that Mr Cruickshank had been the“initial aggressor.”

But Sheriff Foulis said:“In this case, two quite independent persons, with no axe to grind, spoke clearly of an attack on the complainer, Mr Ian Cruickshank.”

That was started by Mr Hughes “swinging”at the other man and resulted in him falling to the ground.

Both accused were then seen“laying into him.”

Both of them had then made contact with the victim.

Sentence on both accused was deferred until September 11 for the preparation of background reports.

The pair had their bail continued meantime.