Ex-partner assaulted woman at Wick Tesco store
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Tesco worker Zoe Anderson warned her colleagues that her ex-partner might appear the day after they split up and she wanted to stay out of his way.
Her prediction proved right as Mark Mackay arrived at the Wick store, on March 25, having sent her a text message that there was “something he wished to discuss with her”.
Ms Anderson had decided to avoid her ex-partner on the basis that feelings were "a bit raw". She went to a private staff area but Mackay guessed where she was.
Fiscal David Barclay described what happened next. He said that CCTV cameras recorded the accused pushing Ms Anderson and raising his hand as if to strike her. Mackay was escorted from the store.
Mackay (30) admitted a charge of assault and a record. He will be sentenced in June.
Mr Barclay told Wick Sheriff Court on Tuesday that Ms Anderson had advised police officers after the incident that she didn't want any contact with the accused, meantime, and that she might have to consider whether it would be necessary to request he be made subject to a non-harassment order at some point.
Mr Barclay said: "She simply wanted a breathing space to allow everyone to calm down."
The court was told that Mackay, of Henrietta Street, Wick, was complying with a bail condition banning him from having any contact with his ex-partner except for pre-arranged family meetings.
Sheriff Andrew Berry will consider a background report on June 2 before passing sentence on Mackay, who was said to have returned to employment offshore.
