Attack on partner denied

A 39-year-old man has denied subjecting his partner to a prolonged and violent attack at a house in Blairgowrie - 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 - one from Perth and two from Dundee Sheriff Court.

His trial, before a jury, was fixed for March 15, with an earlier hearing set for February 18.