Rejected Romeo ejected from woman's bedroom by her sword-wielding flatmate

A rejected Romeo was ejected from a woman’s bedroom at sword point after a date went wrong, a court heard on Wednesday. Stephen Cochrane, 33, had gone back to Celine Reilly’s flat on what was only their second date. Stirling Sheriff Court was told that the couple, who had earlier been having a drink and listening to music, retired to Miss Reilly’s bedroom around 11pm. Miss Reilly’s flatmates, one of them a female fencer, also went to their rooms. A short time later a disturbance broke out in Miss Reilly’s bedroom. David McDonald, prosecuting, said: “An argument ensued during which Mr Cochrane called her a slapper and a bitch.

“Her flatmates heard shouting, and both entered Miss Reilly’s bedroom and saw Mr Cochrane in the corner putting his clothes back on. He was asked to leave, but was shouting and arguing back. Miss Reilly left the room and called the police, and something of a struggle ensued between Miss Reilly’s flatmates and the accused, during which he was shouting and swearing and saying he didn’t have his jacket.” When finally outside, he was heard to shout “old boot” at one of Miss Reilly’s flatmates before making off. Police later attended and found Miss Reilly to be “highly upset and tearful”.



Harry Couchlin, defending, said the incident was “a date gone wrong”, which had got even worse when the rapier was produced. He claimed Cochrane had sustained small “sabre scratches”. Mr Couchlin said: “One of Miss Reilly’s flatmates, who has a sporting interest, had in her possession a fencing sabre, which would have upped the ante. Mr Cochrane was scratched on the body in the end - I’m not sure how. One of the witnesses also indicated that the lady with the sabre had thrown Mr Cochrane’s jacket into the common close, perhaps to encourage him to leave.”

He added: “It was only the second time Mr Cochrane and Miss Reilly’d had some sort of date. It was a date that went somewhat wrong. Mr Cochrane, and only Mr Cochrane, suffered any physical injury.” Cochrane, of Stirling, pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing, uttering threats, and refusing to leave Miss Reilly’s flat, also in Stirling, when requested. The incident happened on 8 September 2014. Sheriff Peter Anderson deferred sentence and refused a Crown application for an anti-harassment order, saying it was unnecessary. He said: “Whilst Mr Cochrane’s conduct is to be roundly condemned as being bullying and unpleasant, I’d suggest Mr Cochrane and Miss Reilly are not going to see each other ever again.”