News / Hefty fine for brandishing knife
A SCAFFOLDER on a contract at the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal was fined £1,350 for brandishing a knife during a drunken a brawl in Brae, almost a year ago.
Gareth James Morgan of 7 St Cuthberts Court, Ormseby, Middlesbrough, pled guilty to the charge when appearing before Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday morning.
The court heard how the 31 year old was part of a group of men involved in “an altercation” with a second group when leaving the Mid-Brae Inn on 14 November last year.
The quarrel continued outside on the main road through the village until the groups had reached Morgan’s accommodation.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that Morgan had gone into the house, armed himself with a kitchen knife and came back out into the street brandishing it.
He was quickly calmed down by another man and the situation was defused.
Defence solicitor Tommy Allan presented a slightly different account of events saying that his client became aware of a large crowd outside his accommodation, which made him arm himself to chase them away.
He added it took very little to calm Morgan down and for him to drop the knife realising how stupid his actions had been.
Mr Allan said his client has taken the allegations against him very seriously and feared that a conviction would make it difficult for him to gain work at the terminal again.
Sheriff Graeme told Mr Allan: “I am sure that he is aware that there are certain politicians who are of the view that I should lock him up for six months.”
The sheriff told Morgan that he must understand the seriousness of the offence, and added that justice would be done by imposing a significant fine.
When Morgan was about to leave the court room, the sheriff advised him that in future he should spend a little less money on alcohol.
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