Remand after abusing court officers

SENTENCE on a Polish man who admitted shouting abuse at court and police officers at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday morning was deferred for four weeks when he appeared from custody the following day.

Marcin Olejniczak, of 12a Horseshoe Close, Virkie, also pled guilty to assaulting a bus driver at Lerwick’s Esplanade by spitting in his face when he was refused passage because he was drunk, on 20 August.

Olejniczak was handcuffed and taken into custody on Wednesday after behaving in a threatening manner just outside the court room shortly before his other cases were due to be heard.

Starting the proceedings on Thursday, Sheriff Philip Mann demanded Olejniczak apologise to the court officers, which he – barely audible – did.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said it had been the worst case of abuse of court staff he had witnessed during his time at rural and city courts.

The court heard that the 33 year old had a “very significant drink problem” and that he was “out of control” and a “disgusting individual” when drunk.

The procurator fiscal moved for Olejniczak to be remanded in custody describing it as an inevitability that he would offend again once at liberty.

“A period in remand will assist him drying out,” Mr Mackenzie said.

Defending, Tommy Allan said his client asked to be given a chance to prove himself.

But Sheriff Mann told Olejniczak that there was a “high possibility that this will end up in a custodial sentence” and refused bail.

Sentence was deferred until 17 October for background reports.