COURT ROUND UP: Booze, bank cards and food stolen in series of Highland break-ins and man admits ill-treating dogs

It was another busy week for Inverness Sheriff Court.

Here's our recap of some of the cases that made the headlines last week.

Highland man admits not feeding dogs for several weeks

A Drumnadrochit man has admitted ill-treating two dogs and failing to feed them over a two-month period.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that a shih tzu called Teddy owned by 42-year-old Gavin Will, of Coiltie Crescent, had died and a collie, named Archie, had been re-homed.

Will was charged under the Protected Animals Welfare Act of causing the animals unnecessary suffering by acts or omission.

Inverness domestic abuser rejected by wife and banned from contacting her

A church missionary who was expecting to reunite with his vulnerable wife against whom he conducted a campaign of domestic assault and abuse was distraught when the news was broken to him in court that she didn't want him back.

Sheriff David Harvie, who wanted to know how the relationship was progressing before deciding upon a non-harassment order (NHO), had been informed at an earlier hearing that Donald John Morrison, formerly of Old Edinburgh Road in Inverness, and his wife Haidi intended to reunite.

However the 60-year-old was informed that she had changed her mind at the last minute and wanted the contact prohibition imposed.

Inverness man took booze, bank cards and food in series of Highland break-ins

A 39-year-old Inverness man who carried out a series of thefts by breaking into properties throughout the Highlands will be sentenced next month.

Robert Spencer-Phillips, of Victoria Drive, Inverness did not appear personally at Inverness Sheriff Court but his solicitor Kevin Hughes pleaded guilty on his behalf to six charges, committed between November 1, 2019 and September 5, 2020.

No details were given to Sheriff Gary Aitken about Spencer-Phillips' offences but he admitted stealing bank cards, alcohol, food and water from locations in Ardchattan; Bonawe; Spean Bridge and Glen Etive.

Sentence was deferred until December 3 for a background report.

Inverness drug dealer sentenced after police forced their way into house

Two Inverness men have been ordered to carry out unpaid hours of work in the community after being arrested when police had to force their way into a house in the city where they suspected drugs would be inside.

At a previous hearing, Inverness Sheriff Court heard that 31-year-old Duncan Murdoch, of Stornoway Drive, Inverness tried to keep the door shut as the officers attempted to gain entry to the Tomnahurich Street address on the evening of August 4, 2022.

Inside were five people, including Murdoch and teenager Zachary Matthews, who is now aged 20. He struggled violently with police as he was being arrested.