A drunk football fan has been fined for kicking his girlfriend’s nose whilst he was wearing a cast.
Sozzled Anthony Friel, of Browns Lane in the town, had spent the full day drinking on an Old Firm Day when he returned home and kicked his long-term girlfriend in the face.
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to an amended charge at Paisley Sheriff Court this week which stated he culpably and recklessly kicked Kirsty Wilson on the head causing her injury on August 29, this year at their flat in Browns Lane.
Procurator fiscal Ms McKechan told the court that Friel and Wilson had been in a relationship for seven years and that three weeks prior to the incident, Friel had broke his right ankle and was wearing a cast that went to just below his knee.
Ms McKechan the court the circumstances of August 29, she told: “Around 10pm on Sunday, August 29, the accused and the complainer were within their home.
“The accused had been drinking as he was at a football match that day.
“An argument between the pair came about due to the level of Friel’s intoxication.
“The complainer began to pour the alcoholic drink Friel was drinking down the sink to prevent further consumption.
“Friel then stated, 'Look at the state of you’ towards the complainer.
“The accused was then sitting in the sofa with his ankle on a coffee table.
“Ms Wilson leaned over the accused and he elevated his leg and struck her on the bridge of her nose.
“This caused a small cut and Ms Wilson was upset and in pain.
“A neighbour attended at the property and saw the blood on Ms Wilson’s nose and that she was upset.
“The police then attended and noted the accused was highly intoxicated and he was cautioned and charged for an alleged domestic assault at this point.”
“The accused became aggressive to police officers shouting ‘Pricks’ and ‘F*****g pricks.’
“Whilst under caution, the accused freely stated ‘I shouldn’t be here, all I did was lift my leg.”
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Defence agent Ms Ryan explained that Ms Wilson and Friel hoped to reconcile their relationship and put the incident “behind them.”
She told the court: “Mr Friel had been watching an Old Firm match that day and had been drinking before and after the match.
“He didn’t mean to strike the complainer, but he accepts he was behaving in an unacceptable manner.
“Because of the size of the boot, he caught her in the head.
“He is very sorry for the position he’s put his girlfriend in, and they both hope to resume their relationship and put matters behind them.”
Sheriff Gillian Craig said: “The one thing I would say is that having drank to excess is not an excuse for poor behaviour.”
Sheriff Craig fined Friel who works for a joinery firm £210 to be paid at £10 per week.
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