A Kingussie man who relapsed into alcohol abuse after losing his job was arrested after a disturbance at Smithton Villas in Inverness.
Mark Macdonald, of Orchard Court, admitted behaving in an aggressive manner on September 17 last year and challenging police to fight.
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Sentence had been deferred for a background report last month and he re-appeared before Sheriff Margaret Neilson yesterday.
Macdonald also admitted possessing cannabis after a small amount was found in his possession when he was searched at Burnett Road Police Station in Inverness.
His defence agent, Rory Gowans said: “He has a lengthy bad record but it stopped nine years ago. But at the time of this offence, he was in a dark place because he had lost his job.
“He reverted to drinking to excess and when he does that, he ends up here in court. His recollection of what happened is nil and he wishes to apologise to the officers concerned.
“He has not consumed alcohol since.” Mr Gowans added.
Macdonald was ordered to remain under social work supervision for 18 months and to carry out the maximum 300 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to prison.