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.
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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.
