Crieff man in court after assaulting girlfriend's ex

Mar 12 2010 Strathearn Herald

SPARKS began to fly when an apprentice electrician’s girlfriend received texts from her former partner regarding their daughter.

That prompted Jason McOmish (20), of Galvelmore Street, Crieff, to ask Craig Finlay to go outside after they ran into each other in a local pub.

He then began to punch Finlay repeatedly on the head and body – and, as he fell to the ground, he struck his head off a wall.

“When he hit the ground he was more or less unconscious,” depute fiscal Stewart Richardson told Perth Sheriff Court.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Perth Royal Infirmary, where he was X-rayed, but no fractures were discovered and he was discharged.

McOmish paid the penalty yesterday when he was fined £600 and ordered to pay the victim £250 compensation.

McOmish admitted the attack which took place at The Cross, High Street, Crieff, last December 20.

Mr Richardson said that the accused’s girlfriend had previously been in a relationship with the victim and that had caused “some friction” between the two.

The pair, along with other people, were in a local pub when McOmish said he wanted to “have a word” with Mr Finlay.

The two went outside, accompanied by others, and the accused punched him a number of times on the head and body.

Solicitor Neil Davidson said that one of the texts appeared to have been “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

McOmish went across to Mr Finlay and took a drink from his hand.

“The complainer took umbrage at that and said: ‘Do that again and I’ll knock you out’,” said the fiscal.

“Mr McOmish then asked him outside. He was fearful the complainer would punch him first and effectively he beat him to it.”