'Being registered blind is no reason to hit your wife' – sheriff tells Inverness OAP
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A 71-year-old Culloden man took his frustrations out on his wife after learning he had been registered blind and assaulted her twice within three weeks.
Kenneth Bruce, of Allton Place, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted the two assaults which took place at their home between July 19 and August 9.
He punched her once on the head and on the second occasion, he pushed her into a bedroom wall and kicked her on the buttocks.
Fiscal depute Adele Gray said his wife told police of the first occasion after her husband was arrested for the second.
"He told officers he was taking out his frustration on her after being registered blind," she said.
Sheriff Gary Aitken fined the first offender £640.
He told the pensioner: "I am sorry to hear that you were registered blind but that is no reason to be hitting someone, especially your wife. It is not a civilised way to behave.
"You have never been in trouble before and I trust this will be the first and last time."
Bruce confirmed to the court that he was still living with his wife and "trying to put this behind them".
Sheriff Aitken declined to impose a non-harassment order which would have prevented Bruce from seeing his wife for a period.
