INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Chef 'embarrassed' by row with former partner

A chef and his ex grew apart during the Covid lockdown a court was told.

Eventually, Iain Froud and his partner decided to separate but continue staying together as there were difficulties in finding alternative accommodation, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

However, it wasn’t working out and on January 22, following an argument about keeping the property clean and tidy, the 22-year-old asked her to leave.

Defence solicitor Marc Dickson said: “Both work in the hospitality sector and during lockdown, it was a difficult time for the sector as well as both of them.

“They finally separated in December but continued to live under the same roof. Then he resumed employment, working long hours and she was not.

“There was an argument and he asked her to leave.

“She phoned a male friend and when he arrived, he [Froud] went to talk to him.

“There was an altercation, she intervened, took hold of him and he [Froud] pushed her. He regrets that and is extremely embarrassed about it.”

Mr Dickson added that his client also dropped a plant pot and threw bin bags containing clothing out of the window.

Froud admitted assault and culpable and reckless conduct.

Deferring sentence until January 12 next year for Froud’s good behaviour, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told him: “I have confidence that you are unlikely to behave like this in the future. If you have been of good behaviour, then you don’t need to attend.”