Dundee man flipped over tipped drinks at Angus resort wedding

A toppled tray of drinks which led to a fight at an Angus wedding has cost a Dundee man dearly.

Lee Boyle did not see the funny side when he heard the drink had been spilt on him “for a laugh” at the Forbes of Kingennie gathering and hit the family friend in a punch-up towards the end of the night.

The 36-year-old has now been fined £400 and ordered to cough up £250 compensation to his victim for an offence a sheriff said had soured what should have been a happy occasion.

Boyle, of Bruce Road, Dundee appeared before Sheriff Derek Reekie at Forfar where he pled guilty to assaulting Nathan Bowles at Forbes of Kingennie on April 27 last year by punching him on the head and repeatedly attempting to punch him on the body, to his injury.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said the victim was speaking to other guests at the front door of the venue around 11.30pm when the accused came out and, without saying anything, punched him.

The court was told other witnesses thought they heard Boyle saying: “Why did you embarrass me in front of the family.”

The victim said he had spilt a drink on the accused, but had apologised and replaced it to resolve matters.

Boyle’s solicitor, John Boyle, said: “The initial impression was that it was accidental but I understand he told other family members at the table he had done it for a laugh.”

Sheriff Reekie told the accused: “Weddings are supposed to be enjoyable occasions rather than involving drunken behaviour with no justification whatsoever.”