Inverness man admits breach of court order after acting on 'police advice'

An Inverness man defied a non-harassment order imposed to prevent him contacting an Inverness woman and her adult son the day after it was imposed.

Hugh Bruce, of Columba Road, admitted the offence which took place at a bus stop near his home on February 1.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that he had been out walking his dog about 10.10pm when he saw the pair and filmed them on his mobile phone as he walked towards them.

Police were contacted and he was arrested, claiming they had followed him, fiscal depute Adele Gray said.

Defence solicitor Willie Young said: “His position is that they were coming close to him.

“Police advice to him was that if he was alone and saw them, he should film it on his mobile phone.

“The bus stop is about 50m from his house and he was of the opinion there were no buses at that time. However, he should have turned away and walked slightly longer back to his house.”

Sheriff Gary Aitken ordered Bruce to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community work.