Bathgate man placed on probation after drunken row

Jan 21 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A MAN who slapped his former partner in a drunken row has been placed on probation.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard Gordon Nicholson had been out drinking with friends and returned to his partner’s Bathgate home on July 31 in a drunken state.

An argument took place regarding his medication and the row soon became physical and Nicholson slapped his former lover on the face and she ran out the house.

She was found walking around in a disorientated state with blood coming out an injury on her jaw.

She was taken to St John’s Hospital in Livingston for treatment.

Last week Nicholson, whose address was given as Charles Crescent, Bathgate, pled guilty to the assault.

The 42-year-old also admitted breaching his bail conditions by contacting his victim on the phone.

His solicitor, Kevin Dugan, told the court his client had suffered from problems with alcohol since he was a teenager.

Mr Dugan added: “Alcohol has played a major part in almost every offence he has ever committed.

“In the past few years he has made friendships and relationships with people who abuse alcohol.

“The problems he has are not going to be solved by himself and he needs some help.”

Placing Nicholson on probation for a year Sheriff Douglas Kinloch said: “You have admitted assaulting your partner and at a later stage breaching you bail conditions by contacting her on the phone. Fortunately the injuries were minor.

“The large part of the problem here is your excessive drinking. In my view the best way to deal with it is to put you on probation with the condition you get help for alcohol abuse and, I hope, anger management.”