Man (27) fined after row in Blairgowrie pub

A “heated argument” in a Blairgowrie pub ended with a customer throwing a stool at another drinker, striking him on the head.

Both men then ended up on the floor of the Crown Bar, in the town’s Wellmeadow, and the police were summoned.

The violent attack cost first offender Jamie McCowan (27), of Honeyberry Drive in Rattray, a £500 fine when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court.

The joiner admitted assaulting Fraser Watson in the pub on July 12, 2019, by throwing the stool at him.

Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr said McCowan was drinking in the lounge bar when Mr Watson entered about 7.45pm.

“Not long afterwards, the accused engaged in an argument which became heated.

“This resulted in the accused throwing a bar stool at the complainer which struck him in the face.

“The complainer immediately retaliated and punched the accused in the face,” stated the fiscal.

“Thereafter, there appears to have been a bit of a struggle between the pair.”

The incident had been captured on the bar’s CCTV. Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said alcohol had been consumed but her client wasn’t “heavily under the influence”.

Mr Watson, on the other hand, was said to have been “very drunk”.

She added: “The accused’s impression was that Mr Watson was looking for a fight”.

The accused had “impulsively picked up the stool” which had struck the other man. Fortunately, neither had suffered any injuries. The accused was given 28 days to pay the fine.