A charity fundraising event turned violent when a motorist was accused of driving too fast down a narrow lane past walkers, Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
A steward at the walk was escorting schoolchildren near Dochgarroch Locks on October 1 last year when 65-year-old Gordon Malloch drove past on his way to his boat.
The court was told that Blaine Lobban, 26, of the city’s St Mungo Road, tried to get Mr Malloch to slow down by waving his arms.
But after Mr Malloch completed his journey, fiscal depute Robert Weir said the pair confronted each other at the Caledonian Canal.
The fiscal added that Mr Malloch was kicked on the head after being pushed to the ground and was “apparently knocked out”.
Defence solicitor Patrick O’Dea told Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood: “My client was with his mother at a charity walk event and the speed limit was 5mph.
“He was walking ahead of the schoolchildren and Mr Malloch was driving far in excess of the limit.
“The car carried on but at the locks, Mr Malloch came towards my client and there was an exchange of words.
“He over-reacted and when he came to his senses he was shocked. He accepts it was wholly inappropriate that he kicked this man.”
Lobban was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work and to pay Mr Malloch £750 in compensation.