No plea on assault charges

A MAN appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday accused of assaulting a man twice on the same day at the weekend.

Barry Coutts, of Lerwick’s Grodians, had his case continued without plea until 11 October and was released on bail.

The 21 year old is charged with assaulting his victim on Lerwick’s Esplanade and Commercial Street on Sunday (24 September), pursuing him and punching him on the body.

He is charged with seizing him by the neck and forcing him towards the Clydesdale Bank before pursuing him onto the Esplanade and attempting to punch him.

Coutts is also alleged to have assaulted the same man at the Thule Bar in Lerwick on the same day, chasing him around a table and pushing him to the floor.

The 21 year old’s third charge alleges that he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at the Thule on the same day by demanding payment of £100 from the man, as well as shouting, swearing and uttering threats of violence towards him.

Honorary sheriff Willie Shannon agreed to release Coutts on bail, but with the special condition that he does not approach or contact the victim.