Easter Ross man 'flipped' at Alness friend's house after heroin disappeared, court told
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An Easter Ross man who relapsed into drug-taking to cope with his stress during the coronavirus lockdown smashed up a friend's house after his heroin was stolen.
Craig Hayden, described as an Inverness prisoner, had gone to visit John Macpherson at his home in Firhill, Alness on June 13, 2020 and sat watching TV with others.
But Inverness Sheriff Court heard this week that later in the evening, Hayden "flipped" and began "wrecking things in the house."
Fiscal depute Robert Weir said:"He was seen to break a chair in the kitchen and shouting that his drugs, a five ounce bag of heroin, had been stolen," Mr Weir went on.
He added that both men ended up in the bedroom for a few minutes and Mr Macpherson was complaining about his jaw.
Mr Weir said: "Mr Macpherson could not recall being assaulted by Hayden or what exactly happened but it is accepted that Hayden punched him once to the head, resulting in bruising. He also recalls being kicked to the head by a female."
The court heard that police were called and Hayden was found in a nearby wooded area and arrested.
Hayden admitted assault to injury and threatening behaviour and had sentence deferred until October 8 for a background report.
Defence solicitor David Patterson successfully persuaded Sheriff Margaret Neilson to call for the report, saying: " He has successfully completed court orders before including drug treatment. But there was a relapse here, as he was suffering from stress, partially due to the Covid pandemic lockdown."
