Inverness man fired air gun through neighbour’s letterbox

An Inverness man fired an air rifle through the letterbox of one of his neighbours.

John Chisholm, of Lochalsh Court, appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday after a background report had been prepared.

The 40-year-old admitted the reckless discharge of the weapon, which occurred on February 2.

The court heard that Chisholm had an exchange of words with his neighbours while holding the air rifle.

Fiscal depute David Morton said: “They went inside and then heard banging and shouting from outside. They recognised his voice, then hear the letter box clattering and the sound of a shot.

“They saw a pellet lodged in an internal door.”

Defending, Marc Dickson said: “There is a long and ongoing history to this. He had taken too much to drink and committed this offence in his frustration.

“He bitterly regrets it.”

Chisholm was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to prison.