Row leads to assault outside hospital

Police found Smith sitting on the grass outside the hospital

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard last Thursday the pair had been at an engagement party in Camelon Labour Club on the night of April 23 and his “aggressive” behaviour towards her had been noted by other guests.

In the early hours of the following morning they had left the function to accompany her cousin to Forth Valley Royal Hospital after he had fallen over and hurt himself.

Later outside in the grounds of the the hospital in Larbert, Smith demanded cash and a phone from Lynne McFarlane. When she refused, he seized her by the neck, forced her to the ground and kicked her.

She then called the police.

Defence lawyer Michael Lowrie said: “Drink had been consumed by both parties at the party and both were the worse for wear.”

He told the court that due to a combination of alcohol and jealousy, Smith had rowed with her in the club and had accused her of ‘flirting’.

Mr Lowrie said the man they had gone to the hospital with had injured himself after falling down because of the amount he had had to drink.

Outside, Smith had demanded money from her to pay for a taxi to get him home, and when she said she had no money the argument started.

When the police arrived the couple were sitting next to each other on the grass.

Smith, from 108 Carmuirs Avenue, Camelon, had admitted assaulting Ms McFarlane at an earlier court and had sentence deferred for background reports.

At the time of the offence he was already on a six month deferred sentence for good behaviour after admitting behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a house in Roughlands Drive, Carronshore, last July.

Mr Lowrie said that argument with his partner had been over money as well.

The lawyer added: “His wages were paid into the bank and he wanted to know how it was being spent.”

When she had told him the relationship was over and he should leave, he refused and the police were called.

As a direct alternative to custody, Sheriff John Mundy placed Smith on a supervised community order for a year and ordered him to complete 120 hours unpaid work in nine months.

He told him: “There’s a requirement for supervision in this case so you can address your anger management issues.”