Lifelong friend attacked Inverness mum and son in their home

A life-long family friend of an Inverness woman and her 17 year old son who attacked them both in their home will be sentenced next month.

Jack Mackenzie, of Hawthorn Drive, Inverness, had been due to stand trial but on the day it was due to proceed he pleaded guilty to two charges of assault to severe injury, one with a telescopic baton on the woman.

Defence solicitor advocate Mike Chapman asked Sheriff Gary Aitken to call for a background report and said he had been instructed by Mackenzie to ask for bail.

However Sheriff Aitken noted that Mackenzie (22) had two previous serious cases and rejected bail but agreed to a report.

Mackenzie will reappear for sentence on December 21.

The court heard that Mackenzie went to a house in Caledonian Road occupied by his two friends and was welcomed with a hug by the woman.

Fiscal depute Susan Love said: "There was a knock at her door and she welcomed him in. He was a long-time family friend and she hugged him.

"She went into the living room but heard a bang. She went out and he produced a baton and hit her with it.

"He then punched her son once and he hit his head on the television set."

The court heard that the teenager was rendered unconscious.

Ms Love said that Mackenzie was "kicked between the legs but he pushed her to the floor and hit her another twice with the baton. He told her not to tell anyone, but she phoned the police."

Sheriff Aitken was told that the woman suffered a 4cm cut to her head which had to be stapled. The boy had no serious injury.