Attacker is given jail warning

A Perth man who attacked his partner in her flat was spared a jail sentence at the Sheriff Court.

But Sheriff William Wood warned him that if he didn’t“moderate his behaviour,”he would end up behind bars.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kevin Bowman, of McDonald Court, was ordered to carry out 230 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to two assault charges.

He will also be supervised for a year and will have to take part in the Positive Relationships Group Work programme run by the Social Work Department.

He admitted that on February 3 this year, he grabbed his girlfriend by the throat at her home in Nimmo Place.

The following day, again at her house, he punched her on the head, causing her to strike her head.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said there had been an earlier disagreement and the accused had been asked to leave.

When she returned home he was still in the flat and further words were exchanged.

He then punched her and she hit her head on an unnamed object in the property.

Solicitor Paul Ralph said he had been drinking and had gone to the flat after work with more alcohol.

Imposing the Community Payback Order as a direct alternative to a jail term, Sheriff Wood observed: “If she had any sense - and this continues - she would kick you out.”

The unpaid work will have to be completed within the next eight months.