Inverness workman attacked with fence post

A BUILDING worker waiting for a lift at the side of a remote country road was chased into a field and attacked with a fence post.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that David Matheson (52) had been dropped off and had arranged to be picked up by another vehicle on the Gorthleck to Trinloist Road when he was approached by Kenneth Scott.

Depute Fiscal Ian Smith said in what was a random attack Scott, who knew Mr Matheson, asked why he was standing there.

"He said he was waiting for a lift. Scott said he had no business being there and punched him on the nose and knocked him to the ground."

Mr Smith said Mr Matheson ran into a field and Scott picked up an old fence post and threw it at Mr Matheson hitting him on the back.

The pair ran back to the road with Scott shouting and swearing at Mr Matheson and he hit him again.

"He was shouting at Mr Matheson asking him to apologise to him but he hadn’t done anything.

The fiscal said Scott threw the post into a ditch and walked away.

Scott (50) of Dalvourn Holiday Chalet, Woodpecker Pad, Inverarnie admitted on November 15, 2010, near to the fire station at Gorthleck assaulting David Matheson punching him on the head causing him to fall to the ground, repeatedly kicking him on the head and chasing him and striking him on the head and body with a fencepost.

Mr Matheson sustained a sore arm and cuts to his nose.

Defence solicitor Craig Wood said although the fiscal said it was a random attack it was not.

Sheriff Maragret Neilson deferred sentence until February 16 for report.