News / ‘One more chance’ for Irvine
A LERWICK woman had to taken to the cells to sober up before her case could be heard at the town’s sheriff court.
Sarah Irvine, of 28 Hoofields, Lerwick, appeared in the dock while under the influence of alcohol, on Wednesday morning.
Upon apologetically returning in handcuffs later in the day, the 30 year old pled guilty to a string of drink-fuelled offences that took place in Lerwick’s Sandveien on 18 April.
She admitted shouting, swearing and acting in an aggressive manner, smashing a bottle, standing in the middle of the road, obstructing traffic and gesticulating in a threatening manner.
Irvine also pled guilty to damaging the interior of a police car on the same day.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Irvine turned up intoxicated at an address in Sandveien “shouting and swearing” before smashing bottle of vodka.
Onlookers who saw the incident unfold were “visibly alarmed”, Mackenzie said.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had been sober since being released from prison in late March, but returned to the bottle after unknowingly smoking legal highs with an acquaintance.
“She didn’t remember any of this,” Allan said, adding that Irvine was “appalled” by her behaviour.
Sheriff Philip Mann admitted that he wasn’t “confident” that releasing Irvine to the community would be beneficial at this stage and was ready to remand her in custody.
However, the woman spoke up from the dock to plead for Sheriff Mann to give her “one more chance” instead of sending her back to prison.
Noting that Irvine had impending appointments with the local mental health team booked, the sheriff deferred sentence for good behaviour until 25 May to allow Irvine to attend the meetings.
She was released on bail, with Sheriff Mann confirming that he will also consider whether Irvine should be charged with contempt of court following her first appearance in the dock.
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