A cancer sufferer has been fined after she admitted attacking her ex-husband’s wife in the toilets of a city-centre pub.
Marie Middleton grabbed Elaine Russell’s head and punched her repeatedly after the pair bumped into each other at The Fountain Bar in Aberdeen’s Great Northern Road.
But the 41-year-old caused more damage to herself than to her victim during the assault.
Middleton, of Flat A, 9 Printfield Terrace, Aberdeen, appeared at the city’s sheriff court yesterday and admitted carrying out the attack around 10pm on Saturday, April 18.
The court heard she was under the influence of alcohol, which was out of character for the first offender.
Her agent, solicitor Kevin Longino, said his client was “confronted” by Mrs Russell as soon as the pair left separate toilet cubicles.
He said that although her actions were “in excess of anything like self-defence” there was a degree of provocation.
The court heard her ill health meant she did little damage to her victim.
Mr Longino said: “The complainer is the wife of a historic ex-partner of the accused. Since 2007 Miss Middleton’s health has been extremely poor.
“She has had significant treatment for cancer and significant illness and spent the best part of 18 months in hospital.
“On a number of occasions the complainer had made that very difficult.”
Mr Longino added that Middleton recognised her behaviour was unacceptable.
He said: “She has very fragile bones. When she struck out she did so in a very limited fashion.
“Because of her illness it was actually hurting her. Police were called, she was interviewed, she immediately accepted what she’d done.
“She has had no contact with the complainer since.”
Mr Longino added that Middleton’s illness did “not excuse” the assault, adding it was a “lapse of judgment”.
Fiscal depute Jamie Dunbar told the court Mrs Russell was not seriously injured as a result of the assault.
Sheriff Jim Scott fined Middleton £75 and ordered her to pay it within six months.
