Medical professionals are using Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an excuse for bad behaviour, according to a Sheriff.
Sheriff Craig McSherry made his comments at Dunfermline Sheriff Court as he sentenced sufferer Stuart Lawrie, 27, for an assault on a woman.
He told Lawrie he was not impressed by his explanation for the attack, adding: "ADHD used to be an excuse for children misbehaving in primary school and medical professions are using it for a 23-year-old? I'm not impressed by it. It's simply medical professionals providing a syndrome for bad behaviour."
ADHD is a psychiatric disorder in which sufferers have outbursts of hyperactivity, acting impulsively and in a manner inappropriate for their age.
Lawrie, of Edinburgh, appeared in court last week after pleading guilty to assaulting his former fiancee Pauline Ormsby at their then home in Cowdenbeath in December.
Sheriff McSherry sentenced him to 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Scottish Conservatives' chief whip John Lamont said: "Criminals and some defence lawyers often cite a range of conditions or addictions in mitigation for all sorts of crimes. The public do not accept this, particularly when crimes of violence are involved."
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