A man assaulted a woman on her own doorstep after going to the wrong address, a court has heard.
James Atkins’ victim was home alone when she was woken by the sound of a man banging on her door and shouting about looking for his brother.
When the woman opened her door Atkins knocked her to the ground, causing her to strike her face which was left with bruising as a result.
Atkins, 40, appeared at Tain Sheriff Court to admit a single charge of assault to injury in relation to the incident on November 26 last year.
Fiscal depute Karen Poke told the court that the incident took place at an address in Joss Street, Invergordon, just before midnight.
Assault victim woken by banging and shouting
She said: “[The complainer] was home alone within her home address when she was woken by banging on the door and shouting coming from outside her home.
“She could hear a male shouting about looking for his brother.”
The woman then opened her door and saw Atkins outside, who then pushed her causing her to fall to the ground and strike her face.
“She sustained bruising and swelling to the left side,” Ms Poke said.
Assault accused got wrong address
Following the attack, Atkins made off swiftly.
The fiscal depute added: “On realising he had attended at the wrong address, he left immediately.”
The woman then retreated into her home and locked the door, fearful that Atkins could return.
Police were contacted and Atkins was later traced in the garden of the neighbouring property.
Solicitor Roger Webb, for Atkins, invited Sheriff Gary Aitken to call for a pre-sentencing report, which he did.
Sheriff Aitken told Atkins, of High Street, Invergordon: “There is no excuse for behaviour of this description.”
