DEAN CRICHTON FROM FORFAR ATTACKS PARTNER DESPITE PROTECTIVE CONDITIONS

Dean Crichton, a resident of Forfar, has once again found himself at the center of a serious domestic violence case, despite being under strict conditions designed to safeguard his partner. The repeated assaults, which occurred despite legal restrictions, have drawn significant condemnation from the court and highlight the ongoing issues of domestic abuse within the community.

Crichton, aged 30 and living on Yeaman Street in Forfar, was convicted of multiple assaults on his partner, including a particularly disturbing incident that took place while he was intoxicated. The court heard how Crichton attempted to downplay his violent actions, claiming that his wake-up call was merely falling over and injuring himself, rather than the brutal attacks he inflicted on his partner. This minimization was met with strong disapproval from the sentencing sheriff, who emphasized the seriousness of the offenses.

The first assault occurred on October 6 of the previous year, at The Cross, located on East High Street and Academy Street in Forfar. According to the prosecution, the incident followed a night out where the couple had celebrated a birthday dinner before heading to Troopers Bar. An argument erupted during the evening, leading the woman to storm out of the bar, with Crichton following her shortly thereafter. Witnesses on East High Street reported hearing the woman shouting for help, with some observing Crichton physically assaulting her.

Members of the public, from their homes, saw Crichton punching the woman and pushing her to the ground. They described how he held her down and continued to strike her repeatedly, although it was unclear whether the blows targeted her head or torso. At one point, Crichton pushed her over a small wall, but she managed to stay upright. Eventually, he pushed her to the ground again and assaulted her further. Police were called to the scene, and when they arrived at her residence, they found her with bruising around her jaw and torn clothing. Crichton himself had a cut on his knuckle, indicating a physical altercation.

Despite being placed on bail with strict conditions that prohibited him from contacting his partner, Crichton violated these restrictions. On November 25, he attacked her outside the Masons pub on East High Street in Forfar, where she was socializing with a friend. The court heard that he pushed her against a car, physically restrained her, and forcibly took her car keys, leaving her injured in the process. Witnesses reported that Crichton followed her into the pub’s toilets, shouting accusations, and then continued his harassment outside. When she attempted to escape by getting into her car, Crichton pulled her out, demanding the keys and ripping her trousers in the process. She managed to run away and called the police for help.

Crichton admitted to both assaults and breaching his bail conditions during the court proceedings. His solicitor, Nick Markowski, described him as a hardworking family man when sober but acknowledged that alcohol and drugs tend to provoke aggressive behavior. The solicitor also expressed remorse and conveyed Crichton’s desire to apologize publicly to his partner, noting her willingness to continue the relationship despite the violence. He emphasized that Crichton is seeking professional help to address his issues.

The court, presided over by Sheriff Derek Reekie, sentenced Crichton to 150 hours of unpaid work and two years of supervision as an alternative to imprisonment for the first assault. Additionally, Crichton is required to complete the Fergus Programme, a rehabilitation initiative aimed at domestic offenders. The case for the second assault was adjourned, with sentencing scheduled for April 25. The sheriff criticized Crichton’s attempt to minimize his responsibility, stating, “He’s minimising his responsibility for this. Mr Crichton, I’m not impressed at all by your attempts to deflect responsibility.” The sheriff further remarked on the disturbing nature of the assaults, noting that it was troubling that Crichton only recognized the severity of his actions after injuring himself, rather than when harming his partner. The court’s stance underscores the ongoing concern about domestic violence and the importance of accountability in such cases.