Man (40) who assaulted partner's two-year-old son in public is given 300 hours unpaid work

A MAN who assaulted his partner's two-year-old son in public on two separate occasions has been handed unpaid work and placed under court supervision.

The man (40), who resides in Portsoy, twice picked up and violently shook the toddler while in public in Keith.

On the first occasion, on October 5, 2021, at a nursery in the town, the man seized his partner's child by his clothing, turned him upside down and shook him violently, Elgin Sheriff Court heard.

He did the same thing, to the same child, at a local park months later. He also shouted in the face of the tot in an abusive manner on a number of occasions.

Procurator fiscal Stuart Coleman told Elgin Sheriff Court said: "The trio went to St Rufus Park in Keith. He wanted to leave the park, which caused the child to cry.

"This caused him to pick up the child and violently shake him. Police became aware months later when the child's mother was reporting a separate incident."

Defence solicitor Iain Maltman admitted that his client was "ill-equipped" to deal with the child, who no longer lives with either of them. The couple are now separated.

"This is not an excuse for his behaviour, but the child had learning difficulties that he was ill-equipped to deal with," Mr Maltman said. "He has never had any kids of his own."

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov replied: "The child was two years old."

She handed the man 300 hours of unpaid work – the most possible. He was also ordered to remain under court supervision for 12 months.