Frustrated dad-of-12 assaulted his estranged wife in row over home

A father-of-12 must pay his estranged wife £500 after attacking her while frustrated at being left alone with all his children.

Stephen Petrie told Perth Sheriff Court the childcare burden, combined with financial pressures, had led to him attacking his wife of 17 years, Jennifer.

Fiscal depute Tina Dickie told the court: “On 12 January the accused left the house. He told his wife he was going to stay in Blairgowrie and that they would be separating.”

Two days later he returned and as Mrs Petrie came downstairs to speak to him he began verbally abusing her, and told her he was entitled to live in the family home.

Mrs Dickie said: “A commotion happened and he seized hold of her.

“She landed on the floor then he slapped her to the face. She tried to calm him down and he eventually sat down on the sofa.”

For Petrie, Kevin Lancaster, said he agreed to leave the family home but was refused a council house, adding: “Given he was the joint owner of the family home, he wasn’t given any housing. He returned... and that is when this occurred.”

Petrie, 55, of Burrelton, Perthshire, admitted assaulting his estranged wife by seizing her by the body, causing her to land on the ground, and slapping her on the head on January 14 .

He also admitted breaking bail conditions by sending her two Valentine’s Day cards last year while banned from contacting her. Sheriff Neil Bowie admonished him on the bail breach and ordered him to pay £500 compensation.

Stephen Petrie was ordered to pay his wife £500.