A Buckfast binge lead a man to slap his wife's face after they had an argument over a lost telly remote control.
John Miller, 28, was mourning the loss of a close friend when he and his partner spent the night drinking Buckfast Tonic Wine and vodka at a family member’s house.
Miller’s wife Stephanie asked her sister to call the police after the argument and when Miller asked Stephanie for his car keys, she refused because he was drunk, and he struck her across the face.
Procurator fiscal depute Andrew Brown told Paisley Sheriff Court: “In the early hours on January 5, the accused and Stephanie Miller were within their home address when the accused became aware a close friend had sadly passed away.
“Miller became very emotional and found it hard to control his emotions.
“Ms Miller found it hard to comfort the accused throughout the day and so arrangements were made they would both spend the night at Ms Miller’s sister’s house in Erskine.
“The couple made their way to Erskine and purchased Buckfast Tonic Wine and vodka while en route.”
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The court heard Miller, Stephanie Miller and her sister Ms Thompson all watched TV in the living room, with the couple consuming alcohol before Ms Thompson went upstairs to bed.
Mr Brown added: “Around 1.30am on January 6, an argument broke out between the accused and Stephanie as a TV remote had gone missing.
“The accused became more agitated and Stephanie went upstairs to her sister and asked her to contact the police, which she did.
“Miller attended upstairs and asked for his car keys. Knowing he was under the influence, Ms Miller refused to tell him where his keys where at which point he struck her to the right hand side of her face.
“The accused went back downstairs and when Stephanie went to challenge him on his behaviour, tripped and banged her head on the wall causing a laceration.
“Miller was apologetic to Stephanie and helped treat the laceration and continually asked for forgiveness.”
Miller, of Capelrigg Drive in East Kilbride, admitted assaulting Stephanie on January 6 this year at a property in Barholm Drive, Erskine.
Defence agent Tom Williamson highlighted that Miller was a first-time offender and that he was struggling that day as a close friend had died, and this lead to some “excessive drinking.”
Mr Williamson also told how Stephanie wanted the relationship to continue and that she wanted him back in the family home.
Sheriff Paul Reid said: “The court takes domestic assault seriously.
“I note your immediate impression of regret and that the complainer wishes to resume the relationship.
“January 5 was obviously a difficult day for you but it escalated and now you find yourself here with a domestic abuse conviction but I am willing to give you the chance to show me this was a one off incident.”
Sheriff Reid deferred sentencing for Miller to be of good behaviour for three months.
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