A female pensioner has been told to “stay out of trouble” by a sheriff, after he heard there had been animosity between her and some of her neighbours.
Sheriff Michael Fletcher deferred sentence on Cathie Mustard, 73, of George Street, Coupar Angus, after previously finding her guilty of assault after trial at Perth Sheriff Court.
Yhe court heard that there had been no “further incidents” and solicitor Pauline Cullerton, for Mustard, said her client was “embarrassed” to appear in court.
Sheriff Fletcher had previously found Mustard guilty after trial of assaulting John Fair, c/o Police Scotland Tayside Division, at George Street, Coupar Angus, by repeatedly striking him on his body with a walking stick on November 29.
Mustard had also been found guilty of assaulting another neighbour, Kim Coram, c/o Police Scotland Tayside Division, on the same date and address, by punching her on the face and attempting to strike her on the body with her walking stick. She had denied the charges.
Ms Cullerton told the court that given her client’s age, she wanted the matter to be closed and has avoided confrontation with her neighbours.
“When my client sees the neighbours she crosses the road or doesn’t go out,” she said.
During the trial, Mustard claimed Mr Fair had no business “being so nosy” about what she was doing.
“They (the neighbours) get me so worked up,” she had said. They really annoy me. Everywhere I go, Mr Fair is always there.”
The court had previously heard details of Mustard’s statement to PC Andrew Watt, in which she had said Mr Fair was looking at her through a window, so she hit his car with her walking stick.
“He got out like he was a big man and just stood there, so I hit him,” she had said in her statement. The daughter came over and I hit her as well.”
Sheriff Fletcher told Mustard the animosity should end.
“I intend to defer sentence in the hope there are no more incidents and the heat is taken out of this,” he said.
“You must stay out of trouble.”
Sentence was deferred for Mustard to be of good behaviour.