The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Accused’s partner ‘attacked by group’
Stratton’s partner Lee Kinney gave evidence to the court via video link from another location.
She told defence advocate Edward Targowski QC how she had attended a get-together earlier in the evening for friends and relatives of 18-year-old Ralph Smith, who died after falling from cliffs in Arbroath that same month.
She told Mr Targowski she was asked to leave the get-together after becoming involved in an argument with some of the people there.
Ms Kinney said that after leaving, a group of people attacked her.
She added: “The blows were coming at me from all directions. It happened so quickly. I was lying on the ground in the foetal position – blows were raining down on me.
“There were angry female voices.
“I was in a very bad state. My head was bust open. My forehead was really badly swollen and I was black and blue all over. My hair was congealed with blood.”
Ms Kinney told the court she managed to get back inside her house, which is also in Drumlanrig Drive.
She climbed into her loft because she thought she was at risk from the people outside.
She added: “It felt like they were in the garden. It felt as if they were outside the door. There were lots of shouting and swearing.
“I heard screams and shouting. I panicked. I ran up to the loft.
“I just brought up the loft ladders and I wanted the noise to stop. I wanted the police to come. I was in a totally panicked state.
“I was wanting the noise to stop and I was wanting it to go away.”
Ms Kinney told the court that an ambulance later took her to Ninewells Hospital to treat her injuries.
She added: “I got my head X-rayed. It felt like a long time.”