Kyle of Lochalsh domestic abuser learns his fate at Inverness Sheriff Court

A Wester Ross man who continued a campaign of abusing his partner even while she was in hospital in Inverness failed to turn up at court to learn his fate on various occasions.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that it led to 35-year-old Martin Fryer of Langlands Terrace, Kyle of Lochalsh being remanded in custody for a background report to be prepared.

Fryer appeared by video link before Sheriff Eilidh Maconald and was represented by Inverness solicitor Marc Dickson who explained to the court that the offences had not been dealt with because of "various failures by my client to appear resulting in him being held in custody".

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Mr Dickson added that his client first pleaded guilty on May 27, 2022 to domestic abuse offences which occurred in Kyle and Inverness between December 19, 2020 and May 19, 2021.

Fryer was texting and sending social media messages to his partner, and phoning her while she was in hospital.

On these occasions the court heard he would swear and make derogatory and abusive remarks towards her.

Sentence had been deferred for his good behaviour for a year but he failed to appear at court thereafter.

He also admitted two charges of contacting her despite a police undertaking and a court bail order not to communicate with her.

Sheriff Macdonald read the social work report and said that it contained a recommendation which she was inclined to follow.

She placed Fryer on a community payback order with a condition that he remain under social work supervision for a year.