An Angus man has appeared in court accused of assaulting a Lottery multi-millionaire before rolling his car in a road accident.
Marshall Baer from Forfar appeared at the town’s sheriff court and denied assaulting John Bowman and two women at a local pub on Sunday, and careless driving that led to an accident on the Dunnichen road later that night.
The 61-year-old was brought from custody and denied three charges of assault at the Burns Bar, one breach of the peace in the East High Street premises, and one charge of careless driving.
Baer, of Archies Park, is accused of assaulting a former partner at the pub on January 8, pushing her and causing her to strike her head on a wall, assaulting another woman, pushing her, and assaulting Mr Bowman, repeatedly kicking him and pushing him to the ground.
He further denies behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the pub, shouting and swearing at the first woman.
He denies driving without care or attention on the Dunnichen Road between Forfar and Letham, driving at excessive speed, losing control at an s-bend, striking a pillar and causing the vehicle to overturn, damaging the vehicle and the pillar, and causing injury to himself.
Sheriff Gregor Murray granted Baer bail with the condition he does not approach the bar or one of the complainers.
Solicitor Nick Markowski said: “I represent Mr Baer and have been instructed to plead not guilty.
“I understand special conditions of bail are being sought and I have no difficulty with these.”
For the Crown, depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “The special conditions are that the accused does not enter the Burns Bar in East High Street, Forfar, and does not approach or attempt to approach Janette Fyfe.”
Trial was set for March 17 and an intermediate diet on February 21.
Forfar father-of-two Mr Bowman won more than £10.3m after hitting the jackpot in the National Lottery in April 2016.
The 59-year-old celebrated the news by having a pint of beer in his local pub and was unveiled as the winner at a press conference in a five-star hotel near Glasgow.