A DOMESTIC assault trial collapsed after the accused's partner declared that crockery he'd allegedly thrown at her was actually disturbed by their dog jumping onto the kitchen table.

Stephen McHenery, 51, had been charged with assaulting the woman to injury by repeatedly throwing 'kitchen items' at her within a house on Fife Road in Larkfield.

But his partner of 20 years told the sheriff court that she had 'exaggerated' to the police in a bid to get him 'some help'.

The woman, 43, also said: "The dog jumped on the table and knocked cups over.

"They tried to say Stephen done it but he never done it."

She also said: "I cannae remember yesterday, let alone a couple of months ago."

Asked by prosecutor Angie Bennett why she'd phoned the police, the witness replied: "Because I was worried about Stephen.

"I was phoning everywhere trying to get him an appointment with a psychiatrist.

"I was advised to phone the polis.

"I was told that only the polis can help you these days if you need psychiatric help.

"They came out but weren't much help because they just wanted to take Stephen away for nothing.

"I probably exaggerated everything."

Mr McHenery had been charged with shouting, swearing, acting aggressively and repeatedly uttering offensive remarks on May 30, whilst subject to two bail orders.

He was also accused of assaulting his partner to injury by repeatedly throwing kitchen items towards her and striking her on the body with them.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher elected not to cross examine Mr McHenery's partner.

Fiscal depute Ms Bennett said: "The Crown no longer seeks a conviction in this matter."