Car park attack as disgruntled customer assaults two members of staff from the Inverness branch of B&Q DIY store after he was refused a refund for a plant he had bought

A disgruntled customer attacked two members of staff in the car park of a DIY superstore after he was refused a refund for a plant he had bought.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Christopher Mackenzie (38), of Woodburn Place, Grantown went to B&Q in Inverness on June 23 last year to return the item.

Fiscal depute Sharon Ralph said that staff told Mackenzie the store did not accept returns of live goods, which upset him.

“He was asked to leave and a member of staff went out to get his car registration number. Mackenzie ran at him and kicked him to the chest, causing him to fall to the ground,” Mrs Ralph said.

The prosecutor added that Mackenzie then repeatedly punched and kicked him on the head and body. Another member of staff went to his colleague’s aid and he was repeatedly punched to the body while Mackenzie held a key or similar object.

Sheriff Robert Fraser deferred sentence until October 7 for a report. Defence solicitor Marc Dickson reserved his comments.