A STEAMING drunk assaulted his partner as her 14-year-old son watched in horror.

Francis Boyle, 56, from Sloan Place, Ayr, had to be restrained by his mother after dragging the woman from the couch to the floor in a drunken rage.

Ayr Sheriff Court heard how the incident happened at Boyle's mother's house in Somerset Gardens, Ayr, in the early hours of March 1.

Fiscal Iain Grey told how the group had been gathered at the house but the woman stated she wanted to leave with her son at 2.30am.

The Fiscal added: "The woman took the key from his hands and at that point he grabbed her and began to drag her from the couch in the living room to the floor.

"His mother attempted to restrain him before the woman broke free and locked herself in the bathroom with her son."

He told how Boyle followed the woman to the bathroom and again had to be restrained by his mother.

Mr Grey said at that point, Boyle made off from the house.

Boyle's solicitor Ian Gillies said: "He is in a relationship with the lady. The parties have been back together.

"She tells me for what it's worth that she may have over-reacted.

"He can't remember much about it until the next day when he woke up in the cells.

"Mr Boyle's problem is clearly alcohol. He can go for many weeks without alcohol but when he does take it he takes it to excess."

It was revealed in court that he was given a six month jail sentence in 2012 for a domestic assault on his ex-wife.

Mr Gillies added: "He's one of these Jekyll and Hyde characters.

"When I meet Mr Boyle he is quietly spoken however I've not seen him the way the police seen him."

And Sheriff John Montgomery said: "I confess that my initial reaction to this having regard to the record was to send you to jail and if I did that you really couldn't complain about it.

"The offence itself was not the worst offence of domestic assault so therefore I am prepared to give you a chance."

He ordered Boyle to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and added a 12-month supervision order.