INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Muir of Ord man made loud protest after being asked to turn the music down

A Ross-shire man has been spared jail after a noise complaint made him lose his temper.

William Beattie (38) kicked off at neighbours after being asked to turn down his music.

Despite initially agreeing to turn the music down when asked he then changed his mind.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard he turned up at the neighbour's house and repeatedly kicked the front door while shouting and swearing at the occupants.

Fiscal depute Shamela Ghafar said the incident took place around 6pm on May 8 this year at an address in Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord.

She said: "Around 6pm the witness approached the accused's home address and asked him to turn the music down and he politely said he would.

"The witness was later in their home address when they saw the accused go by the living room window and there was a loud bang, believed to be from the front door.

"The accused was shouting 'your f***ing husband should not be coming to my door.

"'I can play music if I want to.'"

The court heard the police were then called as Beattie, now of Station Road, continued to kick the door and swear and shout outside.

Solicitor Neil Wilson said his client had been out of trouble for a few years but had come off medication prompting his reaction.

Mr Wilson told the court: "He was on medication to help with his craving for alcohol.

"He came off the medication about a year ago as he thought his cravings had stopped.

"He is back on medications to address his cravings for alcohol."

Sheriff Gary Aitken sentenced Beattie to 120 hours of unpaid work in the community as a direct alternative to custody.