A pensioner who punched her abusive ex-partner and called his new girlfriend “the wh**e of Arbroath” told police: “I feel better for that.”
Lesley Thomson, who suffered nearly three decades of physical and emotional trauma, smacked and slapped her ex outside an Arbroath pub in March.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the 66-year-old “snapped” after being bombarded with messages from debt collectors trying to claw back money owed by her former partner.
Thomson reported herself to police and later told officers: “This is what I needed.”
Understandable
Sheriff Derek Reekie said: “You have been the victim of abuse for many years but I have to deal with the matter that’s in front of me.
“The comment you made – that you feel better for it – is perhaps understandable.
“It was clearly inappropriate behaviour but I think many would understand your reaction.”
Fiscal depute Jill Drummond said the pair had been together for 24 years.
“The relationship terminated in summer 2021.
“At about 7pm on March 5, this year, the complainer and his partner were at the Corner Bar in Arbroath.
“After a couple of drinks they left and went outside.
“Whilst waiting, they saw the accused approaching them.”
Ms Drummond said: “On the arrival of their taxi but before they managed to enter it, the accused shouted and swore at them.”
Thomson told her ex: “You are the paedophile of Arbroath.”
To his new girlfriend, she said: “You are the wh**e of Arbroath.”
Reported herself to police
The fiscal depute said: “The accused then approached her ex-partner and punched and slapped him repeatedly to the head.”
The ex was then bundled into the taxi by his girlfriend.
“After they left the area, the accused contacted police by telephone and intimated she had assaulted her former partner,” Ms Drummond said.
At around the same time, his ex and his partner went to the police station to report the assault.
“Officers turned up at the accused’s address, made her aware of the complaint and she was cautioned and charged,” said Ms Drummond.
“Whilst at the charge bar waiting room in the custody suite, the accused made voluntary comments to officers.”
Thomson told police: “Yes, I did hit him and called her a sl*t.
“I feel better for that. This is what I needed.”
She added: “You won’t hear from me again.”
Ms Drummond said: “She was thereafter reminded of her caution.”
The court heard Thomson’s ex was in favour of a non-harassment order.
Three decades of abuse
A solicitor for Thomson told the court: “This lady suffered 29 years of abuse from the complainer.
“It was physical and emotional abuse.”
He said: “Once they separated last year, she was getting constant bother from debt collectors from debts he was continuing to accumulate.
“She eventually snapped, as we saw.”
Thomson, of St Vigeans Road, Arbroath, admitted assault and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Sheriff Reekie deferred sentence for a good behaviour report until October 27.
