A 37-year-old Inverness man who threatened to stab his ex-partner in the eyes was ordered to carry out 108 hours of unpaid community work yesterday.
Martin Stewart appeared for sentence after a second deferral to establish if he was fit to do the work instead of going to jail.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood heard details last month about the abuse Stewart directed at Diane Holmes at a property in Walker Crescent, Inverness.
He had admitted abusive and threatening behaviour whilst on bail.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Stewart, of Kintail Crescent, waited for Ms Holmes to return to her home on October 11 last year.
Fiscal depute Rowena Carlton said that the three and a half year relationship between them had ended a few months previously and Ms Holmes asked Stewart to leave.
Ms Carlton added: “They began to argue, he shouted and swore at her before grabbing her by the neck. She phoned the police and during the 999 call, Stewart could be heard: ‘I could have stabbed you in the eyes.’ He also threatened to kill her.”
Defence agent Clare Russell said: “The couple had been at a social gathering, alcohol had been taken by both and an argument developed.
“His threats were hollow. My client suffers from epilepsy and Diane Holmes is a trained nurse. She shone a light in his eyes and he suffered 12 seizures at the time. But he is not trying to shirk responsibility for his behaviour.”
Stewart was also placed under 18 months of social work supervision and ordered to participate in a domestic violence programme.
