A gaming addict who broke a baby’s ribs said it happened because he “gets aggressive” when he plays on his computer.
The infant was left with several bruises and the rib injuries as a result of Daniel Smith’s behaviour.
First offender Smith, of Mansfield Estate, Tain, admitted culpable and reckless conduct when he appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood was told that it was not known exactly how Smith had inflicted the injuries, other than that they were blunt force trauma to the head and body.
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The 26-year-old at first told investigators he had held the baby too tight and heard a “popping” sound.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir said that Smith had researched online to see if this was normal in a child so young.
But Smith later told police: “I have an addiction to gaming. I get aggressive when I play them and I feel like this is what caused the injuries.”
He added that he didn’t mean to cause them.
Defence solicitor Willie Young told the court he would reserve his comments until after a background report had been prepared on his client.
Sheriff Fleetwood deferred sentence until March 15 and allowed his bail to continue.
But he warned Smith: “All options are open to the court, including consideration of a significant custodial sentence.”