Man lost the plot during argument

A Perth man“lost the plot”during a heated argument with his partner, pushing her on the body and then pinning her to the floor by the back of the neck.

Fortunately the attack lasted“only a few moments before he released her,” depute fiscal Michael Sweeney told Perth Sheriff Court.

The incident led to 22-year-old James Thom having a community payback order imposed.

He will have to complete 75 hours of unpaid work over the next four months and will be supervised by a social worker for the next nine months.

The accused, who had been living in Wallace Place but was now said to be homeless, admitted the assault on the victim at a flat in Perth’s Glover Street on September 25, 2019.

Mr Sweeney said they had been in a relationship for four years and living together for three years.

She told him to“get out of the house” while she telephoned the police.

He complied and was arrested about 10pm.

A solicitor for the accused said he accepted responsibility for his behaviour, adding:“He’s no longer welcome at his mother’s address and is now homeless.”

The court was told previously that the parties had reconciled and the relationship was continuing.

Imposing the court order, Sheriff William Wood“You’re a young man who simply lost the plot on this particular occasion.”

But he added:“It’s not acceptable behaviour in any shape or form..”

Thom was warned that if the order was breached,“all options”would be available to the court.