Craig McGhee and Mary Nolan guzzled a bottle of brandy on February 15 last year, and began to argue in the house they shared in Park Gate, Erskine.

Soon they were trading blows in what was described as “a brawl.” It was stated they had been in a stormy relationship for almost seven years and after polishing off the booze, differences re-surfaced.

McGhee lashed out and struck her on the head, and police were summoned as he was reported for assault.

The court was told that when officers arrived, McGhee was nowhere to be seen but was subsequently traced.

Depute fiscal Frank Clarke said: “They saw that he had scratches and bruising around his face and neck. He was detained and when cautioned and charged, he basically maintained: ‘It takes two to tango.’” Ms Nolan was taken to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital and released after a wound was cleaned.

In Paisley Sheriff Court, McGhee, a call centre advisor, admitted assault by seizing his partner by the hair and striking her on the head to her injury.

Defence agent Tony Callahan said that they had been in a tempestuous relationship and stressed it had been “a two-way exchange” on the night in question, after each had far too much to drink. “My client sustained injuries in what can only be described as a brawl,” he added.

It was said that the bust-up had been the final straw as they had now separated and the relationship was at an end.

After considering submissions, Sheriff Colin Pettigrew told the accused: “You have to understand that I am dealing with your behaviour here and am not concerned about anything your partner may have done,” before imposing a £450 fine.