Dunfermline man guilty of ‘cowardly’ assault on partner

Neighbours became concerned at the sight of a couple involved in an altercation on the balcony outside their home.

Brian Lawson, 41, of Millhill Street, Dunfermline, was found guilty of two charges he faced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court

On August 21, at his home, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and repeatedly making offensive remarks towards partner Louise Ross.

He was also found guilty of assaulting her by pushing her against a wall, seizing her by the hair and repeatedly dragging her by it, all to her injury.

Neighbour Geoffrey Nicholson, 30, was on his way to his work when he heard a commotion.

“It was like a roar, quite aggressive,” said the witness.

He said the man was being aggressive and appeared to be pulling the woman by the hair.

“I was worried that somebody could easily have gone over the balcony,” he said.

Mr Nicholson identified Lawson as the male involved and said he had not known him before this incident. It was also seen by Mr Nicholson’s wife and another male.

During her evidence Ms Ross had to be given legal advice after saying she could not remember much about the incident.

Lawson said he had not assaulted his partner and that she had been the instigator.

“She grabbed at my lunchbox as I was trying to get out to go to work,” he said.

Sheriff Chris Shead described Lawson’s version of events as “implausible and palpably dishonest”, adding: “The assault you perpetrated was exceptionally cowardly as has been your conduct in court today.” Lawson will be sentenced on March 12.