Cafe owner who spat on girlfriend ordered to pay her £500

Kirrie businessman carried out two attacks on same day

An Angus businessman who spat twice on his girlfriend in separate incidents has been ordered to pay her £500 compensation.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard Kirriemuir café owner Paul James twice “cleared his throat” before launching spit at his victim – once after he had pulled up alongside her vehicle and motioned for her to roll down her window.

The 38-year-old, from Cumberland Close in Kirriemuir, appeared at the court where he admitted a charge of assaulting the complainer on September 1 at his home address and at an address near Brechin by seizing hold of her by the head and spitting on her, striking her on the head and body.

A not guilty plea to a charge of behaving in a threatening manner towards her on the same date by telephoning her and sending text messages of an abusive nature was accepted by the Crown.

Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan said the

“This was disgusting behaviour, which I am sure you accept. SHERRIFF GREGOR MURRAY

pair had been in a relationship for a number of months when the offence happened.

Around 8am on the morning of September 1 an argument ensued between them and James came towards the complainer.

The fiscal said: “He grabbed her by the face, squeezing her cheeks.

“She pulled away from him and he then cleared his throat and spat in her face.

“She did not respond.”

Mr Duncan added: “Later on the same day, the complainer was in her car and saw the accused in his vehicle,

“The vehicles pulled up beside each other and he gestured to pull down her window.

“He cleared his throat and spat through the window, hitting her on the side of the face.”

James’ lawyer, William Boyle, said his client, who owns Visocchi’s cafe in the centre of Kirriemuir, had never been in trouble before and the relationship is now over.

“Notwithstanding that he is a first offender, this was reprehensible behaviour,” said the solicitor.

Sheriff Gregor Murray told James: “This was disgusting behaviour, which I am sure you accept.

“I will keep the fine relatively small, but will order you to pay compensation for this offence.”

James was fined £300 in addition to the compensation order.