Christmas behind bars

A LERWICK woman with a serious drink problem will spend Christmas behind bars after making a fool of herself at the town’s Esplanade on Thursday afternoon.

Sarah Patterson pled guilty to behaving in an abusive manner by making threats and brandishing a knife when she appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Friday morning.

The court heard how the 29 year old had subjected two young boys to a lengthy and terrifying ordeal when she threatened to commit suicide by jumping into Lerwick harbour and then brandished a knife threatening to cut her own wrists.

Describing Patterson’s antics as “truly disgusting behaviour”, procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said it was difficult to convey how terrified the 13 and 14 year old boys were.

When police were eventually alerted and appeared on the scene, Patterson had disappeared. She was later arrested at her home address at Hoofields.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said drink was something that “just takes over” and his client was suffering from being separated from her child and partner. “She can’t live with them and she can’t live without them,” he said.

Warning Patterson of the likelihood of a jail sentence, sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 6 January for reports, and kept her in custody until then.