A man took a crowbar to the window of a remote cottage to free a trapped cat, it was claimed yesterday.
Charles Dyce, of Dunain Road, Inverness, told the city’s Sheriff Court that he was out on an early morning mushroom hunt in May last year when he spotted the distressed animal.
“I am an animal lover and was out collecting mushrooms. I am a poor sleeper and often get up very early in the morning.
“The cottage was empty and looked derelict. I noticed the car clawing at the window. I walked over and saw it was distressed.
“I went back to my car where I had my tools and took a crowbar back to try and open the window.
“I then got a twig which I snapped to prop up the window so the cat could get out. It was never my intention to cause damage and I am sorry about that.”
Dyce admitted maliciously damaging Mid Lodge cottage on the Beaufort Estate near Kiltarlity on May 28 last year.
He was originally charged with attempting to break into the property but fiscal depute Fiona Murray accepted a guilty plea to the vandalism charge.
She told Sheriff Charlotte Coutts: “An estate worker noticed the window was damaged. He checked CCTV and images were captured between 4am and 5am of Dyce at the window and causing it damage.
“When interviewed by police he told officers that he was trying to rescue a trapped cat.”
Dyce was ordered to pay the estate £432 in compensation to pay for the repair to the window. He was also fined £150.
