A man who assaulted a sleeping male party-goer with a sex toy was ordered to pay his victim £2,000 in compensation yesterday.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told Donald Sutherland carried out the attack on May 6 or 7 last year at a house in Alness High Street.
The 33-year-old had earlier admitted the charge of assault and had sentence deferred for a background report.
Sutherland was described by his lawyer, Alison Foggo, as “a man who works hard and parties hard” and he had gone out that night to get drunk with his friends.
She went on: “He is deeply ashamed and extremely remorseful. He went too far.”
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley said they all had gone back to the house in High Street where Sutherland’s victim had fallen into a drunken sleep.
It was then the assault took place.
Ms Molley added: “The victim does not recall the events of that night and was told by a friend what had happened. He was humiliated and distressed.
“His father was told by another family member and was disgusted and angry. He noticed his son had been withdrawn in recent weeks after the assault but he didn’t want to discuss it.
“He avoids going out because he knows everyone locally knows about the assault.”
Sheriff Margaret Neilson ordered Sutherland, of High Street, Alness, to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to prison, pay the compensation and remain under social work supervision for a year.
