Wick man left footprint on door after being locked out by partner in row

A Wick man shouted and swore at his partner after she refused to let him into their home, the town's sheriff court was told on Tuesday.

The police were called and panel beater Darren Coghill was arrested. He appeared from custody on Tuesday and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour and a record.

The court was told that the couple had been drinking over the weekend and that some "ill-feeling" developed.

Fiscal David Barclay said that Coghill (30) left the house in Loch Street, Wick, on Monday and matters "calmed down".

However, Mr Barclay continued: "The accused returned later but his partner wouldn't let him in. Coghill was unhappy about this and began shouting and swearing and kicking the door. Police officers who attended at the scene could clearly see the mark of a footprint on the door."

Mr Barclay added: "The situation, as I understand it, is that [she] doesn't want Coghill back in the house and wishes him to stay away."

Coghill was bailed to an address in Carnmhor, Road, Bonar Bridge, and will be sentenced on December 8 after Sheriff Robert Frazer considers a background report.

The sheriff, who observed that it was Coghill's third conviction for a domestically-aggravated offence, suggested that he might be suitable for the Caledonian Programme, which attempts to address domestic abuse.

A plea of not guilty to an additional charge facing Coghill, of resisting three police officers trying to handcuff him, was accepted by the fiscal.

The accused is meantime banned from entering Loch Street or contacting the woman.