A DOLLAR man who left his mother-in-law with a head wound at a family get-together has been admonished by a sheriff.

David Davidson, 41, received the sentence at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, October 8, after previously pleading guilty to a charge of abusive behaviour.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Susannah Hutchison told the court the incident took place late on November 1 last year.

Davidson attended what his solicitor described as a "family get-together at his wife's mother's home" in Tillicoultry on that date.

Ms Hutchison said those present had been drinking and were in good spirits until around 11pm, when it was observed that Davidson had become "argumentative and aggressive".

He started shouting and was told to be quiet, and "at that stage a struggle ensued" between Davidson and his mother-in-law – then aged 63.

As a result of the struggle, Ms Hutchison said: "She fell and struck her head off a cabinet, causing her to sustain a laceration to the back of her head, which was bleeding.

"Police were contacted, and found the accused on the floor, sitting next to [his in-law], holding a towel on her head which was saturated in blood.

"There were clear signs of a disturbance within the property."

When officers tried to speak to Davidson he became aggressive, and shouted: "I've done f*****g nothing wrong, I've got sciatic pain, get my f*****g specialist on the phone right f*****g now – she'll f*****g sue yous' for all you're worth."

Despite being asked to stop shouting, Davidson continued and was eventually arrested.

His mother-in-law was taken to Forth Valley Royal and was found to have a minor laceration.

In mitigation, Mr Smith said his client had maintained good relationships with his family despite the altercation.

Sheriff Craig Harris described the whole incident as a "drunken argument that got out of hand".

And after hearing that Davidson, of Devon Road, had been of good behaviour ever since, the sheriff granted the admonition.