A SCIENTIST broke his wife’s collar bone after an argument about watching the Rugby World Cup on television, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Fifty-nine-year-old John Corrigan – who lives with his wife in Portugal – had been watching the Scotland v Tonga match at Peebles Rugby Club.

They returned to a relative’s house in Peebles, but Corrigan said he wanted to go back out and watch the Wales v Australia game.

But his wife did not agree as he had been drinking and an argument developed resulting in Corrigan pushing her into a wall and shelving, resulting in her falling to the ground and suffering a shoulder injury which was later found to be a broken collar bone.

Police were called and after Corrigan was cautioned and charged he replied: “I can’t remember doing it.”

He appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting his wife by pushing her on the body and causing her to fall down to her severe injury.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client was a retired bio-chemist who had been the worldwide head of operations for an alcohol production company in France and was now living in Portugal. They had been visiting relatives in Peebles and had been out watching the rugby.

Mr Hulme added: “The problems arose when they both returned home and he said he wanted to go back out and watch the evening match. Things escalated and when she pushed him he pushed her back and she fell badly.

“He stated he could not recall what had happened due to his intoxication. It was a one-off and out of character.”

Sheriff Kevin McCarron told Corrigan it was unfortunate for someone of his age and lack of offending to be before the court.

He added: “The consequences of your actions were unintended but criminal responsibility falls on your shoulders.”

Sentence was deferred for six months for good behaviour.