Man choked partner during romantic break

Trip to luxury Perthshire cottage erupts in violence

A romantic stay at a secluded luxury Perthshire cottage erupted in violence when a 34-year-old man contacted his former partner.

Robert Shiel’s current girlfriend overheard the conversation but when she confronted him, he lost the plot - and subjected her to a “prolonged attack.”

He grabbed Kimberley Allan by the neck and “pressed down with force,” Perth Sheriff Court was told.

He also seized her by the body, struck her on the head and spat on her, all to her injury.

He then hurled abuse at her, branding her “a worthless piece of sh** and a slut” during the drink-fuelled stramash.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney said they had been in a relationship since July 2019.

He became “angry” after she confronted him about the call to his ex.

“The incident lasted around one hour,” he explained.

Ms Allan managed to get her own mobile and alerted a friend that she had been assaulted.

The police were summoned and they went to Waterfall Cottage, Acharn.

“The accused had left the property by that time but he was stopped by police and arrested.”

He had a community payback order imposed last week after pleading guilty to the assault which took place at the cottage on October 20 last year.

Solicitor Jamie Baxter said the explanation offered by his client was “different” to that given by the fiscal.

Shiel claimed that his current partner was the “instigator” but he accepted he should have walked away.

Mr Baxter added: “They had been drinking during the day and he hadn’t consumed anything like the quantity of alcohol his partner had consumed.”

The accused had telephoned his previous partner to tell her to stop contacting him - and that had led to the argument.

Shiel, of Lincoln Road, South Shields, will have to complete 225 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody and will be supervised for two years.

He will also have to attend any domestic abuse programmes as directed by his social worker.

Waterfall Cottage is described on the internet as “a luxury cottage for two people, with private hot tub, nestled into the hills overlooking Loch Tay, with a beautiful bubbling stream, waterfall and breathtaking views of the water and the surrounding scenery.”