ELDERLY MAN ORDERED TO PAY WIFE AFTER COVID RESTRICTIONS ROW ESCALATES TO ASSAULT
An 81-year-old man has been ordered to pay his wife £500 after he attacked her when she criticised him for not following Covid restrictions.Alan Walker was directed to give Marilynn McDonald compensation after admitting to lashing out at her during an argument.
Walker, who has no previous convictions, was also fined £500 by the court.
The sheriff described it as “unfortunate” that Walker, at his age, found himself in court for the first time.
Court records state that Walker, of Struan Hall, Calvine, Perthshire, assaulted his 72-year-old wife by punching her on the body, grabbing her by the neck, and pushing a door against her on April 7 of the previous year.
According to fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson, the argument started at 10am over Walker’s reluctance to observe Covid-19 restrictions.
The situation escalated when the wife pushed his finger away and he responded by punching her in the chest and grabbing her throat, which shoved her backwards.
She kicked him to create distance and managed to escape the house, but he prevented her from leaving by forcing the door, causing pain to an existing arm injury.
Police arrived to find the wife visibly upset and reported her attack; Walker admitted that he had 'lost it' and struck her.
In court, Walker expressed remorse, stating, “It is the first time I have hit a woman… I am ashamed.” His solicitor noted his lack of prior offending and his hope to repair the damage to his marriage.
Sheriff Gillian Wade emphasized the seriousness of domestic assault and the importance of no recurrence, acknowledging his otherwise good behavior and clean record.
