Court / Lerwick man remanded after admitting assault
A LOCAL man who assaulted his partner in the early hours of Up Helly Aa night at an address in Lerwick has been remanded in custody while reports are prepared.
Barry Coutts, of no fixed abode, admitted a charge of assault when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old also pleaded guilty to breaching a community payback order which had been imposed for a similar offence at the end of last year.
The court heard how an argument between Coutts and his partner developed over accusations of infidelity after they attended the property following a night out.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie described how Coutts had become “extremely angry”, launched across the room and punched her in the face.
The woman was bleeding heavily and when she tried standing up she fell back on to the couch she had been sitting on.
Coutts is said to have laughed at her and then punched her again several times before he was pulled off by another person present and thrown out.
The woman was then taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries.
Defence solicitor Gregor Kelly said his client was under no illusion and accepted the gravity of the offence.
He offered a bail address for his client in Durham to allow Coutts to continue with the community payback order, but Sheriff Ian Cruickshank was otherwise minded.
He refused bail and remanded Coutts in custody for reports to be prepared.
Coutts will return to court on 13 March for sentencing.
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