Here are five stories you may have missed from Inverness Sheriff Court this week.
1. Fisherman banned from Highland village… Gets caught going shopping there
A fisherman who broke a bail condition banning him from entering Ullapool was fined £100 after he admitted going shopping in the west coast village earlier this year.
Defence lawyer Wuillie Young told Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday that John Clarke, of Badbea, Dundonnell, had a problem with his bank card at his local shop.
He travelled through to the Tesco store in Ullapool to buy groceries on February 17.
2. Inverness man stole £600 worth of headphones from Currys
An Inverness shoplifter was remanded in custody until the New Year after he admitted stealing almost £600 worth of goods from an electrical store.
Father-of-three George MacPhee, of Carnarc Crescent in the city, admitted the theft of high value headphones from Currys PC World in Telford Street on Saturday, December 10.
At Inverness Sheriff Court, the 48-year-old also admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner by struggling with store staff.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir said that MacPhee was seen with a bar and tampering with a security tag.
“He was challenged by store assistants and claimed twice that he had nothing in the bag. He walked away and then began to run,” the court was told.
“He was pursued and when outside he tripped on a kerb, spilling the bag contents on to the road. He then struggled with staff before police were called.”
Defending, Shahid Latif said his client had “been bedevilled with drugs since 2003 and may benefit from a drug treatment and testing order assessment”.
Sheriff David Sutherland deferred sentence until January 10 and remanded MacPhee, who admitted previous convictions, in custody.
3. Highland man bit colleague and threatened cop
An Invergordon man threatened a police officer and bit a female colleague on the hand.
Aaron Widdows, 20, of Kilmuir Place, admitted both offences, which occurred in Inverness High Street on February 14 this year.
Appearing at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday, his sentence was deferred until February 2 for a background report.
4. Dornoch man accused of assault to permanent disfigurement
A 20-year-old Dornoch man appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday on a charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Thomas Van Holten made no plea or declaration, was committed for further examination and released on bail.
5. Man faces string of charges including vandalism and assault
A 43-year-old appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday on charges of assault, vandalism and a breach of the peace.
Gerard Bentley, from Glasgow, made no plea or declaration, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody.
