Violent home intruder who choked stranger has to pay £1k compensation

A violent intruder “violated the tranquillity” of a remote country cottage and choked a complete stranger who lived there, a court has been told.

Richard Watling, 37, from Fife had swallowed street Valium and was smelling of drink when he invaded the isolated dwelling on carseland by the River Forth.

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard that “muscular” Watling, who lived some distance away, rifled through boxes of breakfast cereals, looked in the bedrooms, and repeatedly insisted the home was his.

Finally he launched a “traumatic” attack on Alexander Robertson, 54, who lived at the cottage with his partner and her adult son.

Katie Cunningham, prosecuting, said Watling of Sandshouse, Kincardine-on-forth, was a complete stranger to Mr Robertson, who had been home alone with the back door unlocked.

About 8.30pm he was in the bathroom, when he heard noises, and initially thought his partner’s son had returned home early.

Miss Cunningham said: “He then heard kitchen cupboards opening and closing.

“Becoming suspicious, he walked towards the kitchen and observed an unknown man standing in the middle of the living room.”

This was Watling, “clearly intoxicated, smelling of alcohol, and staggering around”.

Miss Cunningham said: “Mr Robertson told him this was not his address, but he repeatedly replied, ‘This is my address’.”

Watling then “walked round the house, looking in different bedrooms”.

Miss Cunningham said Mr Robertson managed to usher Watling from the house, only for him to return, where he “placed his hands around Mr Robertson’s throat, and applied pressure for around five seconds, saying, ‘How’s it feel if I choked you?’”

Police arrived and arrested Watling, who admitted in court assaulting Mr Robertson by compressing his throat and restricting his breathing at his cottage near Kennet, Clackmannanshire, on September 9 2019.

Sheriff Richard Mcfarlane sentenced Watling to 250 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay Mr Robertson £1,000 compensation.

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He observed an unknown man standing in the middle of the living room

Richard Watling covers up as he leaves the court.