A man injured his girlfriend in a struggle during an argument sparked by him bringing home muffins instead of doughnuts.
Declan O’Hare appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting a pair of charges involving the mother of his baby, Morgan McLellan.
The 19-year-old, of Jamieson Drive in Elgin, shared a home with Miss McLellan, 18, on Robertson Road in Lhanbryde at the time of the offences.
The court heard that the couple’s relationship became strained after the birth of their baby.
Fiscal, Alex Swain, said: “On one occasion, arguing escalated to pushing and shoving which left the complainer with reddening and bruises to her body.”
O’Hare admitted to conducting himself in a disorderly manner on August 8, by “struggling with” his partner “to her injury”.
He pleaded guilty to a further charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on August 13, by “repeatedly striking a door with a garden chair and struggling with Morgan McLellan”.
O’Hare’s lawyer, Matthew O’Neill, explained that seemingly insignificant matters would cause furious rows between the new parents.
He said: “They had been partners for two years, but were struggling to come to terms with having a young child.
“The overwhelming responsibility was causing difficulty, and arguments would erupt over trivial things.
“On August 8, my client was tasked with getting doughnuts from the shop and when he bought muffins instead that caused an argument which escalated.”
Sheriff Chris Dickson deferred sentence on the teenager for six months, during which time he is to be of good behaviour.
