A Black Isle man who struggled to come to terms with the break-up of his marriage was told to “move on” by a sheriff.
Neil Urquhart, 44, of 69 Townlands Park, Cromarty, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting former friend Kevin Gardiner at Inverness Railway Station on February 28 by kneeing him in the groin.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson took pity on him when defence lawyer Eilidh Macdonald explained the reason behind the attack.
The sheriff ordered him to be of good behaviour for six months.
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley said that Mr Gardiner and Mr Urquhart’s estranged wife, Karen, were walking through the station when they saw Urquhart walking towards them.
The prosecutor said: “Then without warning, he kneed Mr Gardiner in the groin. A week later, Mr Urquhart was traced to New Craigs Hospital in Inverness being treated for alcohol addiction.”
Ms Macdonald told the court: “He was married for 20 years and had difficulty with the separation, which was exacerbated because it involved his friend of many years.
“He was going to get a haircut and he lost his temper momentarily.”
Sheriff Neilson deferred sentence until April 16 next year “in the hope you will put all this behind you and move on”, she told Urquhart.