Man narrowly avoids jail for assault in Banknock

The 21-year-old was arrested after a drink-fuelled row in his parents’ house last May ended with him punching his dad on the head.

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard on February 25 the police had been called by another member of the family, but when they arrived Limond had already left the scene.

Hours later, however, he had gone back to the house and, when he found the door locked, smashed his way in.

When he appeared at court last June, Limond was placed on an 18-month order after admitting assaulting his father in Hillhead Avenue, Banknock, on May 21, 2015, and breaching bail conditions imposed for threatening behaviour at the house in April and June that year.

The court was told he was subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew when he arrived at the property on June 6 drunk.

Previously on May 21 he had been drinking in the house with other family members, but around midnight became aggressive and assaulted his dad. His mum, who had been sleeping upstairs, was woken by the noise and the police were called.

When Limond went back to the house in the early hours of the morning and found the door locked he kicked it in and once inside smashed a mirror causing £350 worth of damage.

Defence lawyer Murray Aitken said since the order was imposed in June Limond had been in prison for another offence and only released in January.

He told the court: “There have been difficulties, but he knows he needs to get help for his drinking, stay out of trouble and engage with this order if he is to avoid the alternative sentence being imposed today. He tells me that since his release his alcohol consumption has decreased.”

Sheriff Linda Smith warned Limond, from 27 Viewfield Road, Banknock, she had been considering jailing him for a year, but opted to allow the order to continue and give him time to tackle his alcohol abuse.

Calling for a review on March 24, she told him: “The court is entitled to expect progress will be made.”