Inverness man spent night in police cells after row over child's games machine
A row over a child's games machine resulted in a night in police cells for a 32 year old Inverness joiner.
Kevin Hardie and his 33 year old partner had been drinking most of the evening on March 31 this year because they were fed up of being "cooped up" in their Kilmuir Road home when the dispute boiled over.
Fiscal depute Niall Macdonald told Inverness Sheriff Court that Hardie became "ill-tempered" in frustration at the machine and his partner tried to intervene to resolve matters.
"He began to shout insults at her, there was a struggle and he grabbed both of her arms. He then grabbed her mobile phone so she couldn't phone for assistance and dropped it on the floor, damaging it.
"He had recently began binge drinking and his partner says that she is happy for him to remain at the address provided he doesn't drink." Mr Macdonald added.
Defence solicitor Marc Dickson said: "He is unable to work just now and was fed up being cooped up. When he was working he was kept busy six or seven days a week.
"He bitterly regrets this incident and recognises he requires to take action after the re-emergence of his drink problem."
Sheriff Sara Matheson deferred sentence on Hardie for his good behaviour for six months until October 6.
But she warned him : "This will be hanging over your head. If there is no repitition, then I will deal with you leniently. If there is, then the opposite will be the case."