Court / Unpaid work for man who groomed girl
A MAN has received a sentence of 180 hours of unpaid work for attempting to groom a 15-year-old girl who was in care.
Part of Ellis Birnie’s sentence was also for threatening a woman with a knife and possessing a knife or multitool in a public place.
The 25-year-old, of Sandveien, was said to have “a number of complex needs” by defence agent Tommy Allan in Lerwick Sheriff Court yesterday.
Birnie admitted making indecent video communications with the girl between 15 August and 4 September last year and with trying to arrange a meeting with her with a view to having sex.
He also admitted brandishing a knife at a woman and threatening to stab her partner on 31 January, whilst having been bailed on 15 January.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank sentenced Birnie to two years’ supervision with 80 hours community payback for the grooming offence and 100 hours for threatening and abusive behaviour, as an alternative to custody. He was put on the sex offender’s register at an earlier hearing.
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
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For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
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The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
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For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
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Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
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Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006
