Repeat offender remanded

A REGULAR offender who admitted running into the middle of a road in front of a vehicle and then violently struggling with police has been remanded in custody.

Nathan Hilditch, 22, of Lerwick’s Ladies Drive, pleaded guilty to the two charges when he appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday afternoon.

He admitted culpably and recklessly running onto the road yesterday (Tuesday), causing the vehicle’s driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision, to the danger of others.

Hilditch also admitted resisting, obstructing and hindering two police constables and struggling violently with them.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had been planning to move to Yell where he had the chance of a job at a local fish factory.

He said Hilditch also had psychiatric and family mediation appointments lined up, and moved for him to be liberated.

But sheriff Arnold Duncan said he had to take the safety of the public into consideration and refused bail.

“Your actions are dangerous not only to yourself but to others,” he told Hilditch. “It is perhaps rather fortunate you are standing in the dock today rather than something much worse.”

Hilditch had previously been jailed for eight months in September and was released after serving half of that term, but the sentence does not technically expire until April.

Sheriff Duncan remanded him in custody until his next court appearance on 12 April and called for an updated criminal justice social inquiry report.