Football coach beat up partner for organising party
Published 22 Sep 2011 08:00
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A FOOTBALL coach wrecked his partner's home and beat her up after she organised a party on Facebook, Alloa Sheriff Court heard.
Raging James Richmond (31) damaged furniture and other items before he turned on his partner.
She was punched to the head and then repeatedly kicked to the body as the drunken thug vented his anger.
On Thursday Richmond, of Colville Gardens, Alloa, was ordered to complete 150 hours community service.
He pled guilty to recklessly destroying the furniture at Carseview in Tullibody on 24 October last year.
Richmond further admitted assaulting his then-partner.
Procurator fiscal Jim Robertson told the court that Richmond had been in a relationship with his victim for about eight years prior to the assault.
He said on the day of the offence she had organised, via the social networking site, a party at her house to watch football on television.
Mr Robertson explained that Richmond appeared later and got into an argument with the complainer. After this he left and she also went out.
He went on, "It would appear at that time the accused returned to the house, where there was one person there still, and he began destroying the place. She spoke to the accused on the phone and asked him what he was doing there and he told her 'wrecking the place'.
"She returned home and the assault took place."
George Higgins, defending, said the relationship between Richmond and his victim was now over.
He said his client, a coach and player with the Scottish Football Association (SFA), had been drinking on the day of the offence.
He went on, "He accepts what he did was wrong. He feels he has let himself down. He is playing for an SFA team and coaching young people. He does not agree with violence and hitting women."
Sentencing Richmond, Sheriff Paul Arthurson said he was up for a "serious" domestic assault but due to his clean record would avoid custody.
He added, "I'm prepared to order you to complete community service as a direct alternative to custody."
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 21 Sep 11
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