Grandad admits threatening Skerries head

A SHETLAND grandfather whose threats provoked the head teacher of Scotland’s smallest school to abandon the tiny island where she worked has admitted abusive or threatening behavior.

William John Anderson was unable to appear at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday due to the lack of transport from his home on the island of Out Skerries.

However the 61 year old pled guilty to swearing at and threatening Rebekah Gibby, the head teacher of the six pupil school, after she took issue with Anderson’s grandson driving a vehicle on the isle.

The court heard that Anderson, who lives at Harbour View, walked into the school on 4 September and was told Gibby was on the phone.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said he swore and made threats, leaving “with a fairly unveiled threat that he would see her at home”.

The fiscal said the police attended and she left the island immediately with them “because of her fear”.

Mackenzie said the fracas “stems from an incident in which the teacher had concerns about the accused’s grandson driving a vehicle on the island”.

Skerries school has remained closed until this week when supply teachers were found to replace Gibby, who started work on Skerries one year ago.

Shetland Islands Council is currently advertising nationally to fill the £51,000 a year post.

The island off Shetland’s east coast has around 70 residents who are currently campaigning to keep open their secondary department, the smallest in Scotland, which has just three pupils.

The council is trying to save £3 million from its education budget, and is consulting on closing nine schools in remote parts of the isles.

Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 28 November, saying he was not prepared to deal with Anderson in his absence.