A faulty mobile phone cost an Alness man £290 after he lost his temper

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Jason Simpson (34), of Firhill, had gone into the Inverness Mobile Phone Centre in Lombard Street, Inverness on March 2, 2021 to have the device looked at.

Fiscal depute Victoria Silver told Sheriff David Nicolson: “He dropped it off for assessment but the owner told him by phone that it was beyond repair.

“Simpson collected it the next day but returned later that same day to complain about the phone.

“He made threats and racial remarks to the owner before punching him several times on the body.”

Defence solicitor Willie Young told the court that when the phone was examined by his client, who admitted assault, a cheaper screen had been put on it and the battery had been removed. “There was a robust exchange between him and the owner and my client lost his temper,” he said. “There was a struggle and he said inappropriate things. He bitterly regrets letting his temper get the better of him.”