Man admits punching woman and police officer

A Pitlochry whisky shop has been thanked for raising over £1500 from charging customers for single use carrier bags.

Ewan McIlwraith, owner of Robertsons of Pitlochry the whisky specialist shop in Atholl Road, was amazed to be told by hospice charity CHAS that the shop’s staff had raised £1778.76 for plastic bags.

“We have been part of the scheme that gives the 5p charge for a carrier bags to charity.

“Since I took over the shop seven years ago we have continued to put the money jointly to two

Tempers flared during a drinking session at a Perth park – and a woman and a police officer were both assaulted.

Twenty-three-year-old Connor McLean, who was said by his lawyer to have abstained from drink since the turn of the year, was spared jail when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court.

But he will have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work in the next six months – and will be supervised by a social worker for 18 months.

He admitted pushing and punching the female on the body at Mathieson Drive, Perth, on September 11 last year – and striking PC Cameron Phin on the chest at Perth Police HQ.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said a group of people had been drinking in Tulloch Park when the victim began to feel sick.

McLean, now of St Catherine’s Square, took her by the jumper and pulled her to her feet.

He then put his hands on her face as if he was “going to kiss her.”

He was told she had a boyfriend and he walked away, waving his arms and shouting.

Her boyfriend arrived and there was an argument and McLean pushed her – and she pushed him back.

He then punched her on the stomach and, as he walked away, he shouted: “I’m going to break your jaw.”

The fiscal added: “Police saw the accused with his top off, walking away from the group.

“He was clearly agitated and under the influence.”

Police tried to calm him down and he lashed out at PC Phin, hitting him on the chest.

Whe he was cautioned and charged, he asked: “Is she getting charged with assault?”

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said alcohol had been consumed but he had “significantly reduced” his consumption.

Sheriff William Wood told McLean, previously of Primrose Place, that he had “seriously considered” sending him back to prison to serve an unexpired portion of a previous jail term.

But he imposed the community payback order as a direct alternative.