A 25-year-old man took a knife to a friend after he blamed her for a break-in at his flat.
But Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Lewis Williamson was assessed by his psychiatrist and social workers as “unlikely to behave in this way again” and he escaped a jail sentence.
Instead Sheriff Margaret Neilson ordered that Williamson remain under social work supervision for 18 months and have mental health treatment.
The court heard that his friend, Chelsea Brown, took some chocolate as a peace offering to Williamson’s home in Blackwell Avenue, Culloden on May 5 last year.
Fiscal Roderick Urquhart told the court that Williamson accepted it but then told her: “Go away; don’t come back.”
Mr Urquhart went on: “About an hour later, Chelsea Brown received a message on Facebook from the accused apologising and adding, “Please come back and we will sort it out together.”
“However on her arrival about 2pm, Williamson made comments about being mentally ill and claiming she made him ten times worse.
“He then produced a large kitchen knife, which he pointed towards her and seized her by the clothing. Ms Brown cried out and attempted to free herself.
“Two of Williamson’s neighbours heard this, looked out and saw the pannel holding Ms Brown by the neck of her jacket with one hand and the knife, which was pointed towards her body, in the other.
“Ms Brown was by this time crying hysterically.”
Mr Urquhart said the police were called by one neighbour while the other told him to put the knife down.
“Shortly after that, Ms Brown managed to pull away and ran off.”
Williamson admitted assault and possession of a knife.
Defence solicitor Marc Dickson said: “There had been a fall-out with his friend after his flat was entered without his permission and items removed.
“It left him feeling vulnerable and he blamed her. What took place must have been very frightening for her but the likelihood of him carrying out similar behaviour is low according to the social work and mental health report.”
