A support worker punched his partner’s friend and sent her headfirst down a flight of stairs during a row about him “sexy dancing” with another woman.
Hugh Devlin admitted assaulting Helen Riddoch when he appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday.
The 35-year-old punched Ms Riddoch on the head, knocking her unconscious as she fell down the stairs of the property in Newton Drive, Macduff.
Devlin, of Caravan 51, Bonnyton Caravan Park, Gamrie, also admitted assaulting his partner Moira Merchant by swinging his arm.
Yesterday, the court heard Devlin, had been out drinking with friends and his partner in Banff before returning to Macduff at about 1am.
Defence agent Stuart Flowerdew said: “The difficulty on this particular evening seems to centre towards Ms Riddoch.
“During the course of the evening she seems to take exception to what she calls ‘sexy dancing’ between Devlin and another woman. He goes into the home and he’s followed in. She had followed him up the stairs and continues to remonstrate with him about the ‘sexy dancing’.
“Unfortunately, at this point Devlin does strike Ms Riddoch. He accepts that.
“He’s shocked and horrified this matter was allowed to get out of hand.”
He added his client, who is a mental health support worker, was “horrified” at his actions and stressed there had never been any difficulties in his relationship with Ms Merchant.
The court heard that when police spoke to Ms Merchant, she told officers she did not feel she was in “any danger” from Devlin.
Under police interview, Devlin said that he felt “sick” by incident.
The court heard he told officers: “Obviously, I just regret all this happening and I feel sick about it all. I’m just devastated about it.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller told Devlin it was a “very unpleasant” incident and branded his actions “unacceptable”. He fined him £630.
