At Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Thursday, Steven Aries, who was committing his fourth domestic assault, was also ordered to undertake courses in anger management and domestic abuse.

Aries, who had not been drinking, went to the Common Haugh on June 6, after learning his drunken partner was unsteady on her feet.

When he took a bottle of alcohol from her, which she tried to retrieve, Aries ended up striking her in the face with it, causing redness and swelling to her cheek,

The 27-year-old accused, of Wellington Court, spent a weekend in custody, missed a wedding, and then lost his job.

Depute fiscal Sally Clark said the accused and his partner had been in a relationship for about a year and both were at the shows following the Common-Riding when the offence happened.

"She was struggling to walk in her high heels, and there was an argument between them," explained Ms Clark, "and he struck her in the face with a bottle, just below the left eye".

Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said both parties were reconciled.
"Even if she had been wearing flat shoes, she would have had difficulty walking," explained Mr Bannerman, "given the amount she had drunk throughout the day".

He said Aries, who hadn't been drinking, got a phone call asking him to come and help her home.

"She wasn't best pleased at him coming to take her away and he took a bottle from her, which she tried to get back," explained Mr Bannerman.

"He held it up and poked her in the face with it."

Sheriff Kevin Drummond warned Aries that any repeat offending would see him jailed.

"Your offending in this particular respect is becoming problematic," he told Aries.

"This is now your fourth domestic assault, and the next time you are going to jail," he warned.