A 23-year-old Inverness man appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday in connection with an alleged assault on an elderly man.
The incident is said to have taken place in the Kingsmill Road area of Inverness about 5.30pm on Thursday and police appealed for witnesses.
The injured man was taken to Raigmore Hospital for treatment to his face.
Zeke McKnight was represented by Inverness solicitor John MacColl when he appeared from custody before Sheriff Valerie Johnston.
He made no plea to a charge of assault to severe injury, was committed for further examination and released on bail.
Sgt Craig Stuart, of Police Scotland who is leading the investigation, said last week that incidents “of this nature” were “unheard of” in Inverness.
The man suspected of the attack was described as being about 6ft tall, of a slim build with “very scruffy” dark – possibly shoulder length – hair.
He was dressed in black trousers, a blue anorak and was carrying a grey rucksack.
He was seen in the Culcabock Road area before crossing over onto Kingsmills Road. The attack happened on a street near Fraser Park.
Sgt Stuart said: “The elderly man involved sustained facial injuries as a result of this incident and was taken to hospital for treatment.
“He was understandably shaken by what happened and we are liaising closely with him to provide support.”