A policeman attacked his partner and threatened to kill her after he was given a row for not having a clean shirt ready for her work.
Paula MacLeod feared she would die after John Forsyth forced her to the floor at their home and covered her mouth and nose with his hand.
Forty-seven-year-old Forsyth, who has been a constable for 19 years was spared a jail sentence when he appeared at Tain Sheriff Court yesterday.
But he is now facing disciplinary action and could be sacked from the force.
Forsyth, of Station Road, Tain, admitted the attack and was sentenced to 120 hours of community service.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood also ordered him to participate in a domestic abuse programme as directed.
Fiscal Alison Wylie told the court Ms MacLeod became annoyed because Forsyth had not prepared a shirt in time for her 5am shift the day before the attack.
When she came home from work at 10.30am she was still angry with him and the pair did not speak for the rest of the day.
Ms Wylie said the couple did not sleep together that night and when Ms MacLeod went to work she started texting Forsyth and told him he did not do enough to help around the house.
In the evening, the couple argued again and she told Forsyth to leave.
He refused and it was then that the assault took place.
Ms Wylie said: “He grabbed her and placed her on to the floor. He then put his hand over her mouth and shouted that he was going to kill her and kill himself. She could not breathe and feared for her life.”
Ms MacLeod later received various text messages from Forsyth which contained a mixture of apologies and goodbye notes.
The police arrived at the house at about 8.50pm and they described the woman as being in a “petrified state”.
Forsyth’s agent, solicitor Ken Ferguson, said: “My client very much regrets his behaviour. He has admitted the offences and is a man of good character.
“The background report indicates medical investigations are ongoing and Mr Forsyth is signed off sick from work at the moment, and despite his inability to return to his paid job he could undertake work.”
A police spokesman said: “A thorough and determined investigation by the domestic abuse investigation unit revealed that an officer had committed an act of domestic abuse.
“The officer’s behaviour fell well below what Police Scotland would expect of its officers and a report on these circumstances will now be prepared by the Professional Standards Department.”