Inverness man punched two holes in wall after row with ex

An Inverness man had been looking after his children while his former partner and her mother were out on Hogmanay, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

But when she returned home to Carbisdale Gardens in Inverness at about 8.30pm, an argument developed with 30-year-old Nathan Hunter.

Fiscal depute Shamielah Ghafar told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald: "He began to speak to her in a cold fashion and she insisted that he leave. He threatened her saying: 'I swear to God, see you, I will do time for you'."

Then he punched two holes in the wall of the property and police were contacted.

Defence solicitor Willie Young said Hunter, of Union Street, Inverness and the woman had been in a relationship for 12 years but separated several months before this incident.

"It had been agreed that he would go to her home to look after the children while she went out with her mother," he said.

"When she returned, an argument developed and he felt she was behaving inappropriately, making some derogatory remarks about members of his family.

"She pushed his buttons and he reacted. He regrets losing his temper."

Sheriff Macdonald deferred sentence on Hunter until January 3 next year for his good behaviour.

She told him: "This was a very unpleasant way to behave. But if you behave from now on and there is no repeat, I will treat you leniently."