An Aberdeen window cleaner was arrested after forcing his former fiance to the ground and tearing the engagement ring from her finger.
Nathan Bigley appeared at the city’s sheriff court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to assaulting Lucy Richings by “seizing her by the body, pushing her to the ground and prising a ring from her finger”.
The court heard that the 28-year-old, of Stockethill Crescent, and Ms Richings had been in an “on and off” relationship for about three years before the incident on Saturday, July 7.
Fiscal Felicity Merson said: “The accused demanded that the complainer return her engagement ring to him.
“He then grabbed her by the arm, pushed her to the ground and forcefully removed it.”
The court was told the attack left her with a painful injury to her hand. She subsequently called the police.
Defence agent Tony Burgess said his client had lashed out after Ms Richings refused to return the item of jewellery.
He said: “He regrets and is ashamed that he acted in the manner he did.”
Sheriff Philip Mann described Bigley’s behaviour as “unacceptable” as he admonished the accused.
Sheriff Mann added: “Just watch your step in the future as courts tend to take a serious line with regard to offences of this nature.”