Scuffle outside boating club

A MAN from Glasgow who got into a scuffle outside the Scalloway Boating Club on Friday and made threats of violence while waving a piece of wood around has been fined £600. 

Thirty two year old David Stewart, of 5 Beeches Terrace, Duntocher, Clydebank, had spent the weekend in custody before appearing at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, threatening violence and brandishing a length of wood at the village’s Port Arthur.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said words were exchanged between Stewart and others in the boating club before he was ejected from the premises.

When the others went outside for a smoke, a confrontation took place during which Stewart made violent threats which continued even after police officers arrived and restrained him.

Defence agent Chris Dowle said his client had limited recollection of events. He had been involved in a melee during which he ended up on the ground and had to be taken to hospital with a head injury. But he accepted such conduct was not acceptable from someone who had come to Shetland to work.

Honorary sheriff Sandy Cluness said the behaviour was unacceptable and fined him £600, reduced from £900 to reflect his early plea of guilty.