OAP fined after all-day drinking session turned to violence

A pensioner who punched his best pal on the nose has been fined after a court heard he had to attend his victim’s funeral last week.

Robert Mullen dowsed his lifelong friend Dennis MacAskill with his beer before punching him in the face and leaving him with a bloody nose.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that the 69-year-old accused and his friend had fallen out during an all-day drinking session in a Perth bar.

The court heard that Mr MacAskill had passed away recently and Mullen had been at his funeral on Thursday. Yesterday he was fined £135.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney said: “They went to the pub together and were drinking throughout the day. There was an argument between them and the accused threw a glass of liquid towards the complainer.

“The argument continued and the accused punched him to the nose.

“A member of bar staff contacted police. The victim had a bloodied nose.”

Mullen, Strathyre Avenue, Perth, admitted assaulting and injuring Mr MacAskill by throwing liquid over him and punching him on the nose at Perth’s Sandeman pub on January 15 last year.

Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: “Oddly enough they had been best friends for around 20 years. Both were retired and met up almost daily to enjoy each other’s company.

“Sadly, the complainer passed away last week and Mr Mullen paid his respects at the funeral on Thursday.”

She said the pair had been arguing over a third party and her client had lashed out after his friend had ignored his request to “pipe down.”