Highland tiler fined £400 for “28 seconds of madness”

A self-employed tiler’s “28 seconds of madness” cost him a £400 fine when he appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.

First offender Ronald Macdonald, 50, of 36 Ferry Brae, North Kessock, admitted assaulting a woman by seizing her by the neck at a house in Mamore Terrace, Inverness on October 18, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to breaking a special bail condition not to contact her until his case was dealt with.

Defence solicitor John MacColl told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that his client’s partner had had a “go” at him because he was drinking to excess.

“He told police he had 28 seconds of madness but now he thinks it was fair enough. He has had a big fright and he won’t be in court again.”