Robert Hugh Perrie fined for punching man who farted on couch in Katanning property

A 38-year-old Katanning man has been fined over an assault sparked by another man’s flatulence. Robert Hugh Perrie was sentenced at Katanning Magistrates Court on July 5 after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm. Police prosecutor Alan Dean told the court Perrie and the victim had been drinking on the night of April 22. At 6.15am on April 23, the victim farted on a couch at a Broome Street property. Perrie then said to the victim “that’s the equivalent of s*** in a person’s face”, according to police. The victim told him to calm down but an altercation broke out between the pair. Perrie struck the victim more than once to the face in the space of a few seconds. During the altercation, he was in a standing position while the victim was sitting on the couch wrapped up in a blanket. The victim was taken to Katanning Hospital and needed stitches to his lip. Perrie represented himself in court last week, telling the magistrate the incident was “out of character”. He has been in WA for about 18 months after serving time in prison in Victoria for a previous conviction. Sergeant Dean said Perrie’s response to the flatulence was an overreaction. In her sentencing, Magistrate Dianne Scaddan condemned the “unprovoked” attack. “While somebody farting on the couch is certainly ill-mannered, the response was disproportionate,” she said. “It is pretty cowardly to punch them while they are in a vulnerable position.” Perrie was fined $2500, with $1000 to be made payable to the victim.