Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Kris Gourlay

Midlothian dad attacked pal after being told to pay for spilling gin on pool table

A Midlothian man has been fined after attacking his pal when he spilt gin on a pool table inside the victim's new 'man cave'.

David Fraser, who helped his mate, Darren Coyle, build the pool table in his new back garden retreat in Loanhead, laid into him after a an argument broke out regarding the bill to repair the damage.

The 51-year-old, from Penicuik, punched Coyle in the face after he was asked to pay up for ruining the pool table, the Daily Record reports.

READ MORE: Edinburgh man with long Covid forced out of home after neighbours flood flat

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how Darren's summer house had been kitted out with a bar and pool table to host gatherings in the back garden.

Fraser appeared at the court on Friday, May 27, accused of assaulting Darren and leaving him with a black eye, a charge he later admitted.

Fiscal depute Morgan Beattie said that Darren had invited several friends round to his house for 5:30pm.

Ms Beattie said it was around three hours later when Darren returned to the bathroom to find Fraser has spilled alcohol on his pride and joy.

The prosecutor told how Darren said the “pool table would need to be replaced” and Fraser was “derisive” about that.

She said: “Mr Coyle told the accused he was serious and he would have to pay for the damage.”

The court heard Fraser accused Darren of “trying to rip him off” and punched him to his left cheek.

Defence agent Steven Donald said the “reasonably-sized” summer house had been decked out “during Covid” and his client, who is a plasterer, helped with the work.

Mr Donald said that Fraser had been invited to a party on May 22 last year, with the solicitor arguing that the argument broke out after Fraser showed "insufficient contrition for accidently spilling gin on the pool table."

Mr Donald said Darren was described as being “in Mr Fraser’s face, saying he had to pay for it”.

He acknowledged Fraser “lost his temper” and struck Darren but “thankfully they are still friends” and there is “no bad blood”.

Sheriff Kenneth Campbell QC fined Fraser, of Penicuik, Midlothian, £260.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.