An Elgin man admitted a charge of assault on a local shopkeeper when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court this week.
Lee Thompson, 24, admitted one charge of assault and one of drug possession.
The court was told that when Thompson entered Girnies Newsagent on Main Street, New Elgin on March 23 this year the shopkeeper thought he was under the influence of something as he was talking incoherently.
When the shopkeeper threatened to press the panic alarm Thompson went behind the shop counter and swung a punch that did not make contact.
Thompson was later traced by police who found he was in possession of a gramme of cocaine with a street value of around £50.
Thompson was ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the shopkeeper for the attack and fined £300 for being in possession of the drug.