Inverness man told to serve 135 hours of unpaid work, after argument with partner
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A row between a man and his partner who had drank too much mourning the death of a friend was filmed as it took place.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told by defence lawyer Marc Dickson that 36-year-old Liam Fitzgerald was “horrified” when he watched it.
Fitzgerald, of Inverlochy Crescent, Inverness, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Sara Matheson who noted that it was his third domestic offence.
She told Mr Dickson: “The problem here is that we are running out of options.”
But Sheriff Matheson decided against jailing the Fitzgerald and instead imposed 135 hours of unpaid work and a one-year non-harassment order to protect the ex-partner.
The court heard that when Fitzgerald, who admitted threatening behaviour, returned to his home on June 11, 2020, his partner told him his condition was “a disgrace”.
Fiscal depute David Morton told the court previously that Fitzgerald’s partner attempted to get him into bed and he took exception to her comment.
“He began shouting and swearing and head-butted a window,” Mr Morton said.
“Fortunately it did not break nor did he suffer any injury.”
Defence solicitor at the first hearing, Cecily Kingston said: “A close friend had just died, he was incredibly down and had been drinking with a neighbour who was consoling him.
“He accepts his behaviour was unacceptable. He has separated from his then partner.”
Sheriff Matheson was told that the ex-partner had moved out following the incident, ended the relationship and phoned the police the following day.
