A drunken Dundee thug brutally assaulted his girlfriend the day after her father’s funeral.
Welder Kevin Spokes sparked a row with his long-term partner after he accidentally smashed a vase of flowers at her home in the city’s Inveresk Gardens.
He dragged her across the room and rained down punches, before throwing a chair at her and another woman.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard “Karma intervened” as Spokes tried to make his escape by bicycle.
He fell off the bike as he pedalled away from police and split his head on the road.
The 35-year-old, who has a history of domestic violence, was taken to hospital and needed six stitches.
He admitted two charges of assault on June 9, last year.
Family funeral
Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said: “The accused and his long-term partner attended a family funeral, during which the accused consumed a large amount of alcohol.”
The following day, the pair began arguing.
Spokes snapped when he was told to calm down, Mr Sweeney said.
“He seized his partner by the body, and dragged her by the shoulders through the living room.
“He flung her to the ground and started punching her to the head.
“She punched the accused in an attempt to get him release his grip.”
Another woman entered the room and saw Spokes assaulting his girlfriend.
“The other woman began arguing with the accused,” said Mr Sweeney.
“The accused picked up a chair from the kitchen and threw it, striking his partner on the body and then the chair struck the other woman on the head.
“All parties went out into the garden.
“The police were contacted and the accused ran off.
“Officers attended and found the women in a state of distress.”
Karma
Solicitor Andy Lyall said: “He is truly sorry for his behaviour and he has apologised to all involved.
“I am aware that his partner retains a strong bond of affection for Mr Spokes.”
He said: “It was the morning after her father’s funeral and things did not start well.
“Mr Spokes had taken a considerable amount of alcohol and it was still bubbling about in him the following morning.”
Mr Lyall said: “Possibly because of his unsteadiness, he caused the breakage of vases which had given to his partner following the passing of her father.
“There was no injury here. I think there was more posturing than actual striking involved.
“But the only person who was injured that day was Mr Spokes himself.
“He decided to make off on a bicycle, but because he was drunk he fell off and split his head.
“He ended up in hospital and needed six stitches.
“So Karma intervened in a way.”
‘Horrid offence’
Spokes, listed as a prisoner at Glenochil, will be sentenced on April 29.
In November, 2020, he threatened to burn down a shop in Dundee and used a racial slur after being accused of trying to use a fake £20 note.
Three months later, he was fined and banned from driving for trying to move his car that was stuck in snow while he was over the limit.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told him: “This was a horrid offence.
“You have a record of domestically aggravated offending and I am minded to impose a custodial sentence.
“However, what comes through to me in the circumstances of this offence, is that this could be a watershed moment for you and you could restart your life by going back to work.”
