A wannabe sailor with plans to join the Royal Navy has been given an absolute discharge in court – after a sheriff was told even the lightest of punishments could affect his career prospects.

Thomas Maitland, 21, of Perrays Crescent in Dumbarton, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assaulting his former partner on March 10 by seizing her by the clothing and pushing and pulling her around the room.

Maitland's solicitor told the court that since the last hearing his client had made a £200 donation to a charity – whose name was not disclosed in court – and said that even to admonish the accused could delay his application to the Navy for up to a year.

“This is a relatively minor matter,” Maitland's agent said, “and an absolute discharge will not affect his Royal Navy application.”

Sheriff William Gallacher told the accused: “It's clear you regret the situation you are in. I am satisfied that the impact of a conviction of this type on you would be so significant that I will grant you an absolute discharge. I never expect to see you again.”

In Scots law an absolute discharge means no penalty is imposed and no conviction recorded against the accused.