Sheriff condemns effort to influence sentence

A SHERIFF in the northern isles has condemned attempts to influence the outcome of a court case involving a Shetland man who admitted leaving a man with permanent injuries after an assault.

Earlier this month 34 year old ferryman Euan Henderson, of Torvaugh, Gloup, in Yell, pled guilty to punching the man following a party in the nearby village of Cullivoe. The court heard that a single punch had been so powerful the victim was unconscious before he hit the ground.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that the injuries were potentially life threatening and could leave the man with brain damage, leading to epilepsy, memory loss and a speech impediment.

Henderson was due to be sentenced on Wednesday, but Sheriff Philip Mann said that he was unable to deal with the case because he had received a “communication” from someone trying to influence his decision.

He told Henderson, who had turned up in court: “It was clear from the communication that the person who sent it intended in some way to influence the sentencing process.

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“That is something which is thoroughly inappropriate and reprehensible and I have to say that I am more than a little annoyed about it because the result is that justice is now going to be delayed.

“Not only must justice be done, but it must be seen to be done and I can’t afford for there to be any suggestion that in sentencing I have been influenced by the communication I have received.”

He said that he had no option but to ask for another sheriff to be flown in to Shetland to deal with case “no doubt at great cost to the criminal justice system”.

Sentence has now been deferred until 13 June