A man who launched a 2am assault on his partner, punching her to the ground, has blamed medication and said he had no recollection of the incident.
Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told a court that a witness flagged down police saying he had seen Alexander John Scott punch a woman, knocking her down outside the Villa Marina on Broadway at 2.20am on December 16.
Police found Scott, of Vicarage Mews, Farmhill, and the woman who had a cut on her cheek.
She initially told police she had fallen over but then admitted Scott had hit her, adding: ’We are always having punch-ups.’
.jpeg?width=209&height=140&crop=209:145,smart&quality=75)
.jpeg?width=209&height=140&crop=209:145,smart&quality=75)
Scott was said to have cuts on his knuckles and in a police interview said that he had drunk too much alcohol mixed with prescription medication.
He said he could not remember the evening but remembered the woman ending up on the ground, though he said he did not recall the assault.
He admitted the description of his actions was ’inexcusable’.
Ms Cubbon said the complainant in the case had retracted her statement but an independent witness had provided evidence.
Defence advocate Kate Alexander said Scott had very limited recollection of events.
’He doesn’t make any excuses,’ she said, ’but he was experiencing difficulties with that medication.
’They are still in a relationship. His partner is with him today, though not in the courtroom.
’They have had arguments before but there has never been a physical altercation.’
Ms Alexander went on to say Scott suffered from mental health difficulties arising from a traumatic incident when he was living in South Africa, when his home was broken into and he was tied up and beaten.
’He is not much of a drinker and has said he is done with drinking,’ she said.
A letter from his GP was handed in which said that he had since changed his medication.
The 38-year-old admitted assaulting a woman and was fined £800.
He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.
Passing sentence, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ’I very much suspect it was the alcohol rather than the medication doing the talking on the night.’