Man (39) denies attack on partner
A 39 year-old man has denied subjecting his partner to a prolonged and violent attack at a house in Rattray – and then robbing her of hundreds of pounds.
Thomas Hill, described as a prisoner at Perth, is accused of repeatedly compressing her neck, restricting her breathing, and then pushing her down a flight of stairs.
He appeared via video link at Perth Sheriff Court to deny a three-charge indictment.
Lawyer David Holmes lodged a special defence of self-defence to the assault and robbery charge.
It is alleged that on October 8, 2020, at the property in Rattray, Hill assaulted the female by seizing her clothing, pushing her head into a wall, repeatedly seizing her by the body and then squeezing her neck.
He is then said to have repeatedly thrown her by the body against a wall and to the floor, repeatedly kicked her on the body and repeatedly punched her on the head and body.
The charge also alleges that Hill pushed her on the body, causing her to fall down the stairs, all to her injury – and that he robbed her of £400.
A further charge alleges that the same day, at the same property, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly pushing Sean Kerr.
The third charge claims that he was in possession of cannabis in Haugh Road, Rattray, on October 9, 2020.
Hill is said to have been subject to three bail orders at the time.
His trial was fixed for March 15.
Perthshire’s farming comedian returned to television screens last week.
Scottish stand-up success Jim Smith appears as the character Jim MacDonald in The Farm, a BBC comedy set in rural Perthshire.
Smith, who breeds livestock on land near Caputh when not entertaining with his comedy, stars alongside fellow stand-up Chris Forbes – himself a familiar face for fans of police spoof show Scot Squad.
The Farm follows on from a series of popular short sketches published online and is filmed at Smith’s own farm.
Directed by Stuart Elliott, the first episode was shown on Wednesday night last week on BBC One Scotland and can now be streamed using the national public service broadcaster’s iPlayer service.
MacDonald’s farm is home to Jim, his mum Mary – played by Ann-Louise Ross – and his hapless tractor driver Donnie (Forbes).
Jim begins the episode feeling glum about getting older on his latest birthday and also comes up with a novel way of attempting to deter a rambler from walking on the land.
There are lots of laughs at the maddening moments of rural life, including when a previous acquaintance of Jim’s mother visits to cast an eye over the farm as part of a valuation process.
Ahead of the pilot being aired – which is hoped will eventually result in a full series – Smith explained how the breakthrough came about.
Posting on social media, he said: “About six years ago a very funny chap called Chris Forbes met me in the green room of the Glasgow Stand and asked if I fancied making an sitcom about farming with him. Massive thanks to Owen Bellshouse and Stuart Elliott for making this happen.”
The comedy is available on the iPlayer for the next 11 months.