John O'Groats fisherman given community payback order for domestic abuse
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A fisherman who abused his partner and threatened to smash her house up was spared a jail sentence.
Lebre Macpherson, whose address was given as Heatherbell Cottages, John O'Groats, appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court on Thursday after admitting a course of domestic abuse towards his partner in the home they shared at Millcroft, Dores.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson was told by defence solicitor David Patterson that the relationship was continuing as MacPherson was getting the benefit of social work involvement for another case through a community payback order.
The court heard of several incidents between January 23, 2021 and February 4, 2021.
Fiscal depute Hilary Michopoulou said: "There was a verbal altercation and he threw a mobile phone at her, hitting her on the face and causing bruising below her eye.
"On February 4, they agreed that he would be taken to Inverness city centre to arrange alternative accommodation."
Mrs Michopoulou added that she was crying on the journey, he shouted and swore at her and threatened to smash the house up.
"She later made a video call to a friend to tell her she couldn't get him into a hotel and he wouldn't get out of the car. She was hysterical and he was shouting and swearing at the person on the other end of the phone."
Mr Patterson said: "These were not his finest moments. He is currently on a CPO and his compliance is satisfactory.
"The relationship can be quite volatile but there has been no further offending and the relationship has resumed."
Macpherson was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, and placed under social work supervision for the next 18 months.
Sheriff Neilson declined to impose a non-harassment order.
