News / Vandalism and violence
FIVE young people from Lerwick were in the dock at the town’s sheriff court yesterday (Thursday) after two drunken nights that ended with a violent struggle with the police and a spate of vandalism.
Ross MacDougall, aged 21, of 8 Burnside, 17 year old Trevor Couper, of Cairnfield Road, and 18 year old Liam Cromwell, of 51 Burgh Road, all admitted struggling violently with the police at a house in Hoofields on 1 November last year.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the police were called to the house when the three refused to leave, and the violence meted out on officers was “at the higher end”.
The court heard that the young men thought the police were “heavy handed”, but they accepted that gave them no excuse for their behaviour.
Couper and Cromwell also admitted being involved in a night of drunken vandalism in the town on the night of 26 May last year, when they caused £577 worth of damage to a car door they dented on Browns Road.
James Dade, aged 19, of no fixed abode, pled guilty to maliciously breaking two windows in a house in King Harald Street the same night, while 23 year old Shelley Hendren, of 10 Goodlad Crescent, admitted maliciously damaging a tap and a bird feeder outside a house on St Magnus Street.
Sheriff William Livingston described the incidents as “a shocking catalogue of offending” and handed out fines of £100 to Hendren and Couper, £150 to Dade and £200 to Cromwell.
Cromwell and Couper were also ordered to pay £250 each in compensation for the damaged car door.
Meanwhile sentence was deferred on MacDougall, who also admitted assaulting a workmate at Lerwick’s Fort Charlotte during a drunken argument following a Christmas works do on 13 December. Reports will be compiled and he must reappear in court on 25 April.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.