'Toxic' couple came to blows in Laurieston over methadone

Sylvia Paterson (44) had been sitting on a bench with the man, but ran after him and attacked him when he moved away to a nearby bus stop.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday, Paterson had admitted the assault she committed in Mary Street, Laurieston, on September 28 last year.

Nhabeela Ruhmatullah, procurator fiscal depute, said: “It was 7pm and the witness was driving past and observed a male and a female sitting on a bench. They appeared friendly and had several bags with them.

“The witness past the couple again a little later as she parked her vehicle outside the Co-op. The accused was shouting at the man and they began to argue with each other.

“The man took a bag of drink to a bus stop nearby. The witness saw the accused run towards the man and hit him with a canvas picture frame and throw food items at him from her shopping bag.

“She then began to repeatedly punch him to the face and head. He managed to get the accused off him and heard a witness say she was calling the police. The accused got up and walked to the bench, where she sat waiting for police.

“Officers spoke to the accused and she stated ‘I was hitting him. He took my methadone’ and she added ‘I defended myself’.

The court heard Paterson and the man were in a “toxic relationship” and both had appeared in the criminal justice system over the last six to 12 months over allegations of domestic offending.

It was stated both wanted to continue their relationship.

Sheriff Derek Livingston warned Paterson she was “coming close to the end” of her chances with the court, but he decided to give her one more.

Paterson, 303 High Street, Linlithgow, was placed on a supervised community payback order for two years with the condition she engage with alcohol services. She was also made subject to a restriction of liberty order to stay in her home between 7pm and 7am for the next 108 days.