A Moray man attacked his partner after she poured the remnants of a bottle of Buckfast down the sink to curb his drinking.
Liam Hepple flew into such a rage that the police officers called to his home had to use pepper spray to get him under control.
The 19-year-old appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday, where he admitted assaulting Chelsie McKillop by pushing her to the ground.
He plead guilty to a further charge of “adopting an aggressive stance” towards police officers.
The incident took place at 10.30pm on April 10, shortly after the couple moved to Fleurs Crescent in Forres.
Fiscal Robert Weir said the pair had been in a relationship for more than a year, but Ms McKillop had grown tired of Hepple’s drinking that night.
He said: “Following an argument, Ms McKillop decided to empty some of a second bottle of Buckfast down the sink to stop the accused from drinking it.
“Hepple then followed her upstairs and pulled her to the ground.
“Her cries for help were heard by others, who contacted the police.”
Mr Weir said that, when officers arrived and pulled out their handcuffs, Hepple “adopted an aggressive manner and uttered threats of violence”.
The court heard that Hepple also “punched ornaments” during the fracas.
The fiscal added: “Police had to spray incapacitant spray into his face to get him under arrest.”
Hepple’s lawyer, Iain Maltman, said that Ms McKillop was “not frightened” of him and would like him to return home.
Mr Maltman added: “My client is determined not to continue with the same mistakes of the past.”
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov deferred sentencing for three months, during which time Hepple is to address his behaviour with social workers.
