Tennis star’s shame over punch

A talented young tennis player’s career was in doubt last night after he was convicted of punching a teenage girl in the face.

Scott Fraser's dream of going to the United States to pursue a coaching job was left in ruins when he was fined £320 by Sheriff Margaret Neilson following his guilty plea to breaking his 16-year-old friend’s nose in a fit of temper.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Fraser, 21, let his friends into his car after a party at Maryburgh Village Hall on December 20 last year because it was cold.

But he got angry when he discovered they had trashed the inside of his car – which he was planning to sell to finance his trip to America.

The coach, who according to his Facebook page, has worked at Inverness Tennis Academy and the Elgin Lawn Tennis Association, and lives in Tain, has a photo of himself and Judy Murray as his profile picture.

Last night, he said: “It was a genuine mistake. It's something I regret and wish I had never done. I could not go to America because the embassy disallowed it, but there is still a chance. There is still a job over there for me. I am discussing it with the American embassy."

At Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday, depute fiscal David Morton said the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was putting on her shoes in the back seat and she was punched on the nose because Fraser thought she was damaging his car.

Patrick O'Dea, defence solicitor for Fraser, of Mayfield Wynd, Tain, said: “People do not automatically get a visa if they have a conviction of violence so this will have a significant impact on his career. He is remorseful and hopes to apologise to his friend.”

Scott Fraser with Judy Murray