Arbroath street attack pair facing unpaid work over noisy dog row

A pair of Arbroath men who attacked a neighbour in a row over a barking dog have been warned to expect an unpaid work order for the offence.

Daniel Christie, of St Vigeans Road, and Kevin Doyle, of Dishlandtown Street, admitted assaulting the man on August 21 last year in Helen Street, Christie while on bail and Doyle subject to an undertaking to appear in court.

Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan said the incident happened around 10pm when the partner of their victim was out walking her dog and Christie was also outside.

The dog began to bark and the court heard Christie reacted with words similar to “Can you not shut that dog up?”, claiming it was vicious.

When the dog walker’s husband then came out he found Christie standing in the doorway and challenged him over his behaviour. The victim was then approached by both accused and was repeatedly punched by Doyle, causing him to fall to the ground.

Both accused then punched and kicked the man to the head and body.

Paramedics were called and the victim was found to have suffered only bruising and grazing.

Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said: “They both accept this is not a minor matter but in their favour, perhaps, is that the assault was of short duration and there were no significant injuries.”

Continuing the case until November, Sheriff Alison McKay said: “I want to be absolutely clear that this is not just for you to be of good behaviour, it is for you to overcome your current difficulties to be able to do the unpaid work proposed.”