Woman attacked at hotel

A man attacked a woman and behaved in an aggressive manner at a Balmaha hotel.

Kevin Donnelly admitted a charge of assaulting the woman by repeatedly seizing her by the throat and causing her to fall to the floor at the Oak Tree Inn in the village on November 18, last year while he was on bail on another matter. The charge had also been aggravated as it involved a partner or ex-partner.

The 33-year-old had also pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive behaviour at the hotel on the same date. Donnelly had repeatedly shouted and swore and acted in an aggressive manner.

His not guilty pleas to charges of assaulting a man at the hotel and possessing cannabis there had been accepted by the Crown.

Donnelly’s agent Virgil Crawford told Stirling Sheriff Court last Wednesday that there had been some concern in the social work report prepared for the court about Donnelly’s attitude.

Sheriff Alison Michie agreed, adding: “It leaves the court without an alternative, other than a custodial sentence.”

Mr Crawford, however, said that Donnelly had felt that the social worker had misundersood him.

The lawyer also pointed out that Donnelly took the view he was not fit for unpaid work due to certain mental health issues, but Mr Crawford recognised this was not something which prevented other clients carrying out unpaid work.

Sheriff Michie said the wording of the social work report meant that unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order (tagging) were not options. However, a custodial sentence would not help Donnelly’s medical condition, she added.

Sheriff Michie deferred sentence until June 22 for a supplementary social work report and a medical record from his GP to give the court further options.