Man fined for assaulting partner

Apr 29 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

ASSAULTING his partner landed a Livingston man with a fine.

Police were called to the house Mark Dale shared in Deer Park with the mother of his children after reports of a domestic incident.

When they arrived on February 21 they were told there had been an argument and during the course of it he assaulted his lover by pushing her.

The woman had fallen into a wardrobe, cutting her lip in the process.

Dale, formerly of Braid Green, Livingston pled guilty to the assault.

His solicitor, Glenn Fraser, told the court his client had co-operated fully with the police and pled guilty at the first opportunity.

“It was the factor that ended the relationship. He accepts that,” Mr Fraser added.

“He is in the process of moving on. He still intends to be there for his children.

“He very much regrets it happening and realises it was his fault but he is doing everything he can to provide for the children.

“Even though this caused the end of the relationship it wasn’t going well for some time and he was drinking more and more.”

Fining him £265, Sheriff Donald Muirhead said: “As I am sure you understand, this court never accepts violence towards women in a domestic setup.

“It is very unfortunate indeed that you went to the extent of physically knocking your partner into a wardrobe. Realise that if anything like this happens again you will be looking at custody.”