A couple’s “time-out” from their relationship exploded into violence and ended up in court.
Yesterday at Inverness Sheriff Court, Daniel Watcott, 20, of the city’s Ardconnel Street, appeared for sentence after a background report had been prepared.
He had earlier admitted assaulting Ross Ketter, a breach of a special bail condition not to approach a named woman and a breach of the peace at Culduthel Mains on January 13.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said that the woman was in the house with Mr Ketter when Watcott arrived at her front door and began banging on it,
Mrs Eastwood went on: “She asked her ex to hide in the bathroom. Watcott was shouting: ‘where is he? where is he?’ and found Mr Ketter in the bathroom.
“He repeatedly struck him on the face, threatened to stab him and kill him. ”
He said the woman tried to pull him off and Watcott struggled with her.
“He was eventually forced out of the house and the police were called. When he was arrested he said he would write to Mr Ketter and apologise.”
The court was told that the breach of bail involved police finding Watcott hiding in the loft of the woman’s home.
Defending, Clare Russell said: “They were on a break from their relationship and trying to work things out. They were resident together and he found her in her bedroom with her ex-partner.
“He is no longer resident there.”
Watcott was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid community work and to remain under social work supervision for a year.