Angry Kirriemuir man spat in partner’s face in house access row

Horrified passersby watched an Angus man spit in his partner’s face in a town centre street row, a court has heard.

Christopher McNab later grabbed the woman after what his solicitor said was an overreaction to being locked out of his Kirriemuir home.

At Forfar Sheriff Court, McNab, 36, of Bank Street in Kirriemuir, admitted assaulting the woman in May by spitting on her, acting in an aggressive manner and grabbing her arm.

Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown imposed a nine-month CPO, with a requirement for McNab to undertake an understanding relationships programme.

The court heard the incident happened around 5.30pm when the woman was walking towards a supermarket.

She became aware of the accused behind her.

After spitting on her, McNab called her a number of derogatory names.

The incident was seen by a passing driver who gave the victim a lift to get her away from the scene.

However, when the woman got out of the car at Clova Road in Kirrie, she noticed McNab’s car and he then appeared and grabbed her by the arm, attempting to block her path.

Defence agent Craig Scott said McNab had gone out of the house, left his partner and not taken his keys with him.

“His partner had then gone out, he was annoyed with her because of that and the social work report before the court confirms he has difficulty dealing with annoyance.

“He is embarrassed and ashamed to be in court and seemed to have felt that immediately after the first incident.

“He thereafter set out to apologise to his partner. She wasn’t interested and he grabbed her arm. Other passersby saw him almost pleading with his partner to forgive him,” added Mr Scott, pointing out McNab is currently on a community payback order.