An Inverness joiner was arrested for behaving abusively towards his partner during a row over a children’s game machine – after becoming “fed up” and getting drunk during lockdown.
Kevin Hardie, 32, and his 33-year-old partner had been drinking most of the evening on Tuesday because they were fed up of being “cooped up” in their Kilmuir Road home when the dispute boiled over.
Hardie appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court today, where he admitted a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Fiscal depute Niall Macdonald said his client became “ill-tempered” in frustration at the machine and his partner tried to intervene to resolve matters.
Mr Macdonald said: “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.”
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.
But she said: “This will be hanging over your head. If there is no repetition, then I will deal with you leniently. If there is, then the opposite will be the case.”
