Man who vandalised Maggie's Highlands cancer support centre at Raigmore Hospital avoids a prison term
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A chef whose life had spiralled out of control damaged a Highland cancer support centre in a drug and alcohol-fuelled rage.
But 27-year-old Zeke McKnight, of Briargrove Terrace, Inverness, escaped a jail sentence and was instead ordered to pay the Maggie’s charity £1200 in compensation.
McKnight had admitted maliciously damaging a window and a wooden bench at the Raigmore Hospital-based facility on August 30 last year.
He also pleaded guilty to two charges of abusive or threatening behaviour towards police officers in a police van on July 19 and December 11, last year, in the city’s High Street.
Sheriff Sara Matheson told McKnight she was restricting the fines on the police offences to £100 each so the compensation figure for Maggie’s could be higher.
Defence solicitor John MacColl told Inverness Sheriff Court that the offences were committed when his client’s life “had spiralled into despair because his children were taken to England, he had fallen out with his mother and was living in homeless accommodation.”
He added: “As a result he turned to drink and drugs and he has little recollection of events.
“But his life has taken a turn for the better and he is living with his fiancee who is pregnant with his child. He is off the drink and drugs, has got a job and it is hoped he has stopped walking on the wild side.”
After hearing from the lawyer, Sheriff Matheson told McKnight: “I should really be giving you a jail sentence.
“This was a despicable offence at a local cancer centre.
“It is only because of the positive changes in your life you are not going to prison.”
