Lochyside mechanic fined in row over dog

An argument over a Rottweiler dog saw a Lochyside man fined £450 at Fort William Sheriff Court last week.

Cameron Donald MacInnes, of Castle Drive, pleaded guilty to punching a window at a property in Fort William’s Banff Crescent on December 8, with utter disregard for the consequences, which caused the window to shatter.

The smashed window was at the home of MacInnes’s then girlfriend who had been looking after the dog.

Procurator Fiscal Martina Eastwood told the court that MacInnes, a self-employed mechanic, had arrived at the woman’s home shortly before midnight to collect the dog.

An argument ensued and MacInnes, 24, who was described as being intoxicated at the time, had then put his fist through a downstairs window and the police were called.

Defence agent Gerry Sweeney said the incident was the ‘convergence of inebriation and frustration’ involving a deteriorating relationship which was now at a complete end.

‘It was a young dog owned by Mr MacInnes which was being looked after by this lady,’ said Mr Sweeney.

‘He went to collect the dog, words were exchanged with his then girlfriend, and the dog was denied to him. He acted stupidly and was fortunate not to have sustained serious injury from such a stupid act.

‘He confessed to the police and is ashamed and contrite.’

Fining MacInnes £450, Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald told him: ‘This was a very unpleasant act, appearing at someone’s door so late at night and then disappearing in a taxi leaving a window smashed.’

MacInnes’ plea of not guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner was accepted by the Crown.