A 19-year-old Ross-shire man was fined £300 for seizing his ex-girlfriend round the neck because of texts she had sent to his new partner.
Lee Bremner, of Macleod Place in Dingwall, admitted assaulting the girl at her home in Inverness on September 25.
Fiscal depute Laura Ryan told Inverness Sheriff Court that Bremner, an apprentice joiner, met with his ex in her bedroom where an argument broke out.
Ms Ryan added: “At that point he seized hold of her by the neck. The complainer said he put both hands on her throat and pushed his thumbs in, and did this for about five seconds and she could not breathe.
“As he left he said to the complainer, ‘why would you do that?’ and referred to the text message sent to his new girlfriend.
“The complainer said he is normally the nicest person but she was frightened by his behaviour and did not think it was going to stop.”
Bremner’s defence solicitor Clare Russell said her client had found messages sent by his ex to his new girlfriend in what he thought was an attempt to end their relationship.
Ms Russell said he went round to discuss matters but it escalated, adding: “It was extremely out of character for Mr Bremner.
“He spent some time in custody and that was an extremely salutary experience for him.”
