Thurso man told to pay for damage 'if you have a scrap of decency'

A sheriff took a dim view of Thurso man's failure to make good the damage he caused at his ex-partner's home in the town.

Unemployed Douglas Wright (33) had a disagreement with the woman on May 11 and had "stormed out" of the council house "in a huff" swinging a heavy backpack which caught the back door window.

Fiscal David Barclay told the court at Wick, on Wednesday, that it was more a case of recklessness rather than an intentional act. He said that although the couple had separated after a six-year relationship, they remained on good terms with each other.

Sheriff Ian Miller said that Wright had had ample time to pay for the damage to the door and added: "It is not to his credit that he hasn't taken steps to have it repaired." No figure was available for the cost involved.

The sheriff ordered the accused, of Macaulay View, Thurso, to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work and told him: "If you have a scrap of decency you will pay for the damage to your former partner's home."

Wright, who pleaded guilty and was said to have sought anger management advice, must complete his unpaid work within a year.

A plea of not guilty to an additional charge that he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner was accepted by Mr Barclay.