INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Strathpeffer woman (25) who sent offensive message to former partner describes 2022 'as the worst year of her life'

A STRATHPEFFER woman told her legal representative she had endured the worst year of her life ahead of a court appearance.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard how a couple had exchanged abusive messages with each other just hours after they split.

Mother of two, Claudia Aitken (25) admitted sending an offensive communication and of being drunk in charge of her car at her Ross-shire home on July 19 this year.

She was living in Maple Drive, Inverness at the time of the illegal communications on February 13 this year and her partner was working in Norway.

She left a voicemail for him: "When you get home I am going to kick your head off." Then she swore.

But the court heard that it was not one-way with defence solicitor Rory Gowans telling Sheriff David Harvie: "There were messages going back and forth but two wrongs don't make a right. He was prosecuted for it and fined £500.

"The relationship is over but since then things have been amicable."

Aitken, now of Caberfeidh Place, Strathpeffer admitted sending an offensive communication. She also admitted being drunk in charge of her car at her Ross-shire home on July 19 this year. Her reading was 44mcgs of alcohol when the legal limit is 22mcgs.

Aitken was fined a total of £590.

As she had three penalty points on her licence and a further 10 points added for the alcohol offence, she was automatically banned from driving for six months having exceeded the maximum 12 points.

Mr Gowans added: "She describes this as the worst year of her life."