A man admitted pinning his partner to the floor – but only because she’d gone “mental”.

On Monday (25 August) at Alloa Sheriff Court, Stuart McAra (39) pled guilty to assaulting his other half on 6 March 2014.

Fiscal depute Susannah Hutchison told the court that the accused had been out drinking that day. He returned home in the evening, but left after an argument with his partner before reappearing at around 1am.

The disagreement resumed and at some point McAra’s dog was let out of the house.

The 39-year-old left to find his pet. On his return a scuffle broke out – during which McAra pinned his girlfriend to the ground by putting his hands on her chest.

A neighbour who heard the commotion called the police, but when McAra was traced by officers he claimed he was in an abusive relationship and wasn’t the one doing the assaulting.

McAra admitted holding his partner off during the barney – but said it was to stop her from attacking him. The accused stated that his girlfriend suffered from a personality disorder and went “mental”.

McAra, of Grange Road in Alloa, also admitted placing his partner in a state of fear and alarm at their home address on 19 March 2014.

The 39-year-old turned up at the house uninvited and drunkenly demanded, “Let me f**king in.” He was denied entry, but while his partner was on the phone to the police he appeared in the hallway after climbing through a small bathroom window.

McAra left a short time later. When he was picked up by officers, he couldn’t remember much of the incident but admitted climbing through the window to get some clothes.

Defending, Robert Smith stated that McAra’s partner had a borderline personality disorder and was very emotional at the time of the altercation due to personal circumstances.

He added that McAra deeply regretted his drunken antics and the couple have since reconciled.

Sheriff David Mackie thereafter admonished McAra.