A Glasgow man who battered and bruised his partner after a drunken row was sentenced to one year of social work supervision to help him overcome his alcohol problem.
Sheriff Gary Aitken heard that 38-year-old David Walls had spent over four months in custody awaiting trial and sentence after being convicted after trial of assaulting his partner.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told the woman was subjected to the ordeal at her home in Cairn Court, Inverness, on April 14.
The court was told that Walls of Semple Avenue, Lochwinnoch, pulled her off a chair by her feet before kicking and punching her on the head and body.
Sentence had been deferred for a background report.
Defence solicitor Rory Gowans said: “This was a relationship which was a toxic one and doomed to failure from the start.
“Both were alcoholics. His intention now is to move back to the Central Belt. He came up here to find work as a cooper and drifted into alcoholism. The relationship is now over.”
Sheriff Aitken told Walls: “I will place you on a community payback order for one year so you will have support with your alcohol difficulties.
“I will not impose a further punitive sentence in view of the time you have already spent in custody.”