News / Former coxswain fined for outburst in Skeld
A RESPECTED ex-lifeboat coxswain has been fined for smashing a car window and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Skeld.
Hylton Henry, 55, of Kulster, Aith, admitted the offences that took place at Grindibreck in the early hours of 31 March.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Thursday that Henry had gone to Skeld with another individual to have it out with a man who had previously been in a relationship with a family member and who Henry still bore a grievance towards.
In an incident witnessed by neighbours, he had knocked on the house door and windows and shouted and swore outside the house.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that the householder had been “too scared” to come to the door and Henry had taken it out on the car window when he left the scene, causing £100 of damage.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly said that it was a source of “great regret” that Henry, who had been a coxswain of the Aith lifeboat for 30 years of great distinction, had ended in court on his first offence at the age of 55.
Henry, he said, had been seriously down after ill-health had forced his retirement and had difficulty adjusting to a sedentary life.
The relationship between the complainer and Henry’s family member had been a tempestuous one, and a series of “unusual” activity between the parties had led to a “perfect storm” that triggered Henry’s outburst.
He said that Henry had no aggressive intent on visiting Grindibreck, but had become frustrated when the complainer would not answer the door and that led him to punch the car windscreen.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said that it was understandable to have concerns about a family member but that did not entitle you to take the law into your own hands.
He fined Henry £400 for behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, £275 for damaging property, while he ordered him to pay £100 compensation for the broken window.
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