News / Court round up – 11 Nov
A THIRTY one year old man who made racist remarks to police officers about their Scottish heritage was fined at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Andrezj Galebiewski, of 70 Breiwick Road, Lerwick, admitted shouting, swearing and making racist remarks to three officers at the Lerwick police station on 12 August.
He also pleaded guilty to breaking a satellite dish at an address on the town’s King Harald Street on the same day by forcing it to bend and break beyond repair.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Galebiewski was “heavily intoxicated” and in an “inexplicable act of stupidity” leaned against a ground-level satellite dish while walking home.
He damaged the dish – to the tune of £300 – and prompted the onlooking householder to call the police.
Galebiewski was then taken to the nearby station, but “seemed to take offence to the police officers’ Scottish heritage”.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client lost his job and accommodation after the incident.
He added that Galebiewski’s racist remarks stemmed from language he’d heard on building sites in Glasgow, with the man not realising how “offensive” it was.
Sheriff Mark Thorley ordered Galebiewski to pay £300 compensation for the satellite dish and fined him £375 for his behaviour.
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A man from Dunrossness has been banned from the road for 12 months and fined after admitting drink drinking.
Duncan Burgess, of Springfield, Scousburgh, pleaded guilty at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving on the A970 at Boddam on 11 July while over one and a half times the alcohol limit.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 23 year old crashed off the road at around 3.20pm and was “very fortunate” not to have been injured.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said the incident took place around the anniversary of his father’s suicide, which was “heavily” on his mind and encouraged Burgess to drink during the day.
Sheriff Mark Thorley disqualified Burgess from driving for 12 months and gave him a £400 fine.
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Meanwhile, Craig West from Unst had his licence endorsed with penalty points after failing to report an accident and driving while uninsured.
The 27 year old, of 1 Nordabrake, Saxa Vord, was given seven penalty points and fines totalling £466 at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the man drove through a fence at Sellafirth in Yell between 31 July and 1 August but was given a lift from the scene.
He only admitted that he was the driver of the car – and that the vehicle wasn’t insured – until days later.
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