£900 fine for abuser who spat on girlfriend during drunken attack

An Angus domestic abuser who spat on his girlfriend in an attack overheard by a 999 call operator has been fined £900.

Paul Elliot was given a sixmonth good behaviour order after the Arbroath offence in February in which he took the door of the woman’s flat off its hinges before the assault.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard the couple are now trying to make a go of their relationship, but Elliot was told that despite staying out of trouble he could not go unpunished for the “nasty incident”.

The 32-year-old, of Stoneycroft Lane, Arbroath, pled guilty to behaving in a threatening manner on February 10, forcing his way into a property at Priory Crescent and assaulting a woman, spitting on her head and stealing a mobile phone.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said the couple had been in a relationship described as “being filled with jealousy, suspicion and mistrust”.

“There had been an air of tension on that day and he said he was going out for a drink,” the fiscal added.

Elliot returned just after 1am and the incident escalated, leading to him spitting on her before the 999 call in which the operator heard his victim pleading: “Paul, get off me”.

Defence solicitor Robin Beattie said: “The complainer is with him in court and the relationship is continuing.”

Sheriff Derek Reekie told Elliot: “I’m pleased you’ve taken the opportunity to be of good behaviour and the relationship is restored.

“I suspect you’ve got your work cut out given what was a nasty incident.

“However drunk you were, spitting on her is something I’m sure you are pretty ashamed of.”