Thug threw table and chair at his ex in bar

A Bannockburn thug prohibited from going to a town bar went there out of curiosity after learning a man had been tasered in the vicinity.

Robert Norris, of Forthview, was caught by officers at the Empire Bar in Quakerfield on September 16 this year.

The 36-year-old had been given bail in June after a court appearance on a charge of assaulting his ex-partner Eleanor Sneddon.

Conditions included staying away from Quakerfield.

Norris admitted charges last month of breaching bail by going to the bar on September 16 and assaulting Ms Sneddon on May 29 at the bar, aggravated by abuse of a partner or ex-partner.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Norris had thrown a table and a chair at Ms Sneddon at the pub on May 29 this year in a row about money.

Fiscal depute Ashley Smith told Stirling Sheriff Court that Ms Sneddon, who lived by the Empire Bar, had entered the premises that day at 1pm and saw Norris inside.

The complainer asked the accused why he was there and he became angry and agitated.

Ms Sneddon tried to get away from Norris but he picked up a chair and threw it at her, missing her.

Norris then picked up a table and threw it at her, again missing.

Ms Sneddon went upstairs and locked her door. Norris left the scene and was later arrested.

Norris’s agent Harry Couchlin told Sheriff William Gilchrist that some months before the incident Ms Sneddon’s daughter had disappeared with at least £3000 which he had provided to run his partner’s business.

He added: “This was the source of difficulty between parties. He was there with that on his mind to confront her. He did enter because he had something to discuss.”

As for the breach of bail Mr Couchlin explained that Norris had seen Facebook messages that someone had been tasered near the bar and had foolishly decided to go there.

Stupidly Norris walked straight into officers’ path, said the lawyer.

Mr Couchlin explained that Norris was in touch with solicitors about the missing money.

He asked Sheriff Gilchrist to take account of the overall circumstances and the positive terms of the report prepared for the court. Norris, he said, was at work Monday to Friday, but in a position to carry out unpaid work at weekends.

Sheriff Gilchrist expressed concern that the Empire Bar incident involved abuse of a third partner or ex-partner.

He imposed a non-harrassment order for two years for the assault on Ms Sneddon – along with a community payback order comprising 100 hours’ unpaid work to be completed within six months.

A further community payback order comprising 100 hours’ unpaid work was imposed for the September 16 breach of bail conditions to be completed within six months. They were to run consecutively.