An Aberdeenshire man brandished a blowtorch in the midst of an argument with a “cowering” woman, a court has heard.
Simon Hawksey from Gourdon marched into his garden shed to fetch a weed burner as a confrontation escalated on Saturday.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told yesterday he had been involved in an argument with the woman at his home in the village’s Selbie Place.
Fiscal depute Lynne Macvicor said: “The complainer was on the sofa and the accused pushed his face into the complainer’s until she cowered.
“She pushed him and ran to the garden to call a friend. The accused came out a few minutes later to continue shouting at her.
“He went into the garden shed and returned with the weed killer lance. He lit it and was walking around with it on fire.”
Police were called and found the 37-year-old sitting in the garden with the weed burner still by his side.
Appearing in court after spending three nights in custody, Hawksey admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, by shouting, swearing and acting aggressively towards the woman.
His solicitor Tony Burgess told the court his client had been under great financial pressure.
“Mr Hawksey has been working long shifts offshore and in a yard when back onshore just to stay afloat after purchasing a home that required major work,” he said.
“He fully intends to address with a GP the anger management issues that became apparent on Saturday.”
Sheriff Mungo Bovey told Hawksey: “While this must have been distressing for the complainer, I note the absence of any assault.
“I also note the time you have already spent in custody since the incident.
“I will defer sentence on you for nine months. If you are of good behaviour, you will be admonished.
“You must address these issues.”
