Inverness man burst partner’s eardrum by hitting her with rolled-up magazine

A 34-year-old Inverness man who burst his partner’s eardrum after hitting her with a rolled-up magazine was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work yesterday.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that it was not the first time that Matthew Trinder, of Leyton Drive, had assaulted his then partner, Emma Watson.

Defence solicitor Willie Young also revealed that Trinder was now in a new relationship and admitted: “His schedule of previous convictions does him little credit. But he has been out of trouble for a significant period.”

He added: “There had been a fairly provocative remark made by her but nothing excuses what he did in the heat of the moment.

Trinder pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Watson on November 21, 2013, to her severe injury in a house in Lochdhu Gate, Nairn.

Sentence had been deferred for a background report. Sheriff Chris Dickson also placed him under social work supervision for a year, ordered him to pay Miss Watson £400 in compensation and to attend a domestic abuse programme.