Thug fails to keep court date

Nov 13 2008 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A MAN due to be sentenced for assaulting his partner at her place of work failed to appear at court yesterday (Wednesday).

Craig Johnstone (22) was last month found guilty of the committing the offence at Hamilton’s Abercorn Nursing Home.

He had denied slapping Natalie Moffatt on the face to her injury.

However, Sheriff David Mackie found Johnstone guilty after hearing evidence from Ms Moffatt and her colleagues.

Johnstone’s agent, Derek Smith, told Sheriff Mackie yesterday that he could not explain Johnstone’s absence, and the sheriff granted a warrant for his arrest.