Ex-Scotland star Rowan ‘hit woman, stole property’

Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Chambers Street

FORMER Scotland rugby international Norrie Rowan has gone on trial accused of forcing his way into a woman’s flat before assaulting her and stealing her property.

The 62-year-old businessman, who gained 13 caps playing for his country, denies assaulting former staff nurse, Hannah Jonathon, 36, at her Edinburgh home on June 16, 2012, and theft.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court today heard Rowan, of Edinburgh, and Ms Jonathon had returned to Glasgow Airport around midnight after a holiday in Ibiza.

Ms Jonathon said there had been a “falling out” when they arrived back in Scotland and he then demanded she give him back gifts he had bought her.

She went home alone and shortly afterwards Rowan came to her flat and broke in by bashing down the front door.

Ms Jonathon claimed he then struck her four times on the head and started looking “frantically” through her bags before taking her laptop and jewellery, she claimed.

She said: “I said to him ‘Be careful my computer is in there’ and as I went towards him he hit me four times, three with the flat of his hand, and one punch, I felt his knuckles.”

She told how she managed to get hold of a neighbour who contacted the police.

The trial continues.