Redundant offshore worker took anger out on his partner

A former offshore worker, angry after losing his job in the industry downturn, grabbed his partner by the throat in a row over money, a court was told.

Lewis Forbes had been out drinking with a pal in Montrose, but returned home in a bad mood.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard the 34-year-old became immediately abusive towards his partner of seven years in an argument about finances.

The woman was sitting on a sofa, but when she got up Forbes began to push her before grabbing her by the neck and pushing her back down.

Police were called and Forbes openly admitted the attack, telling officers that he “didn’t give a f***” about the assault.

Forbes, of Flairs Avenue, Arbroath, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Pino Di Emidio at Forfar, having previously admitted the March 22 offence at a house in Montrose’s Westwood Walk on March 22.

His solicitor told the court that since being made redundant from a “handsomely paid” offshore job, Forbes is now working as a stonemason in Oxfordshire.

“The glib remark he made to police serves him no credit at all, but it is his desire that the couple resume the relationship,” added the agent.

Noting a previous domestic offence, Sheriff Pino Di Emidio imposed an 18-month community payback order, including supervision and programme requirements Also at Forfar: Tomasz Gul, 37, of Fettes Way, Montrose, was jailed for eight months after admitting bail breaches involving his ex-partner at a house in the town in June.

Sheriff Di Emidio told the accused: “These offences were committed very shortly after your release from prison.

“The social work report simply confirms concerns that there have been about you and it is clear that there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.

“You have a very bad record for analogous matters, which the court simply cannot ignore.”