Dundee ‘man in black’ severely assaulted man who had affair with his partner

A “man in black” severely assaulted another man he suspected of having an affair with his partner.

At Dundee Sheriff Court, Ross Geddes, 32, of Monifieth Road, Broughty Ferry, was ordered to pay compensation of £1,250 to his victim, who sustained a double fracture of the jaw in the assault and needed metal plates inserted to repair the damage.

Geddes had previously admitted assaulting Alexander Caird on January 11 at Grimmond Lane by repeatedly punching him on the head to his severe injury and permanent impairment.

The court heard Mr Caird had a brief affair with the accused’s partner about three months before the incident.

The accused had telephoned Mr Caird in November 2016 and warned him to stay away from her. Mr Caird said he had been and would continue to do so.

However, on January 11, Mr Caird and his partner arrived home at around 5.30pm. Mr Caird’s partner was seated in a hire car in the couple’s driveway when the driver’s door was opened by a male all dressed in black, who made as if to hit her.

On seeing her properly, the male stopped and paused as if surprised to see her there. He then ran back down the driveway to another car and opened the driver’s door, punching Mr Caird once to the left side of his face. Mr Caird felt something crack in his face and attempted to get out of the car and fend off the accused.

Geddes then punched Mr Caird again in the left side of the face, before being pushed away. Mr Caird’s partner shouted that she was calling the police and the accused made off, shouting: “This isn’t over,” towards Mr Caird.

The complainer was taken to hospital where he required surgery to have metal plates inserted to repair a double fracture of his jaw. He also sustained extensive swelling to his face and a black eye.

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael told Geddes: “This is a very serious assault and you caused some severe injury and permanent impairment to Mr Caird.

“I have seriously considered a custodial disposal but there is room for a non-custodial sentence here. It was two punches, you have expressed significant remorse but your behaviour was unacceptable.”

Sheriff Carmichael placed Geddes on a community payback order under supervision for 18 months, and ordered him to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work, in addition to the compensation order.