Man assaulted Newtonmore woman whose dogs spooked him

Two barking dogs in a garden upset a man as he walked past a Newtonmore garden with his partner.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that 40 year old businessman Christopher Fraser of Moray Park Avenue, Culloden, kicked the fence which brought the owner out to remonstrate with him.

But Fraser's reaction was to push the woman and then spit in her direction.

Fraser admitted the assault which occurred in Clune Terrace on September 11, last year.

Defence solicitor Willie Young told Sheriff David Harvie that his client ‘had addiction issues and he is making a determined effort to re-establish his business which was failing by seeking support.’

Mr Young said: "He is willing to have more. He is not proud of his actions." He told the court that Fraser had served a short period in custody for a breach of his bail conditions.

Placing Fraser under a year's supervision, Sheriff Harvie decided against imposing unpaid work hours to allow Fraser to concentrate on reviving his business.

But he told him: "You appear to be the author of your own misfortune.

”You clearly have issues with alcohol."