Court / Man who twice breached bail conditions sent to prison
A MAN from Sandwick has been sent to prison for 90 days after breaching bail twice in the space of a week.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said when sentencing Steven Nicholson that “breaches of bail will no longer be tolerated”.
The 33-year-old, of Veester Hill, admitted breaching a special condition of bail by approaching or contacting a woman on 20 December.
He previously admitted breaching bail by attending the woman’s house on 13 December, leading to a £200 fine.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Tuesday that in the latest breach the woman and Nicholson were found inside his house by police officers undertaking a check.
The woman answered the door and officers found Nicholson in his attic.
He described it as a “wilful” breach of bail.
Defence agent Tommy Alan told court that the woman unexpectedly turned up at his client’s house in a taxi and he let her in as he was fearful of a scene being caused outside.
He said the right thing would have been to not let her in and phone the police if assistance was needed.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told Nicholson, who was appearing from custody, that the fine imposed earlier this month had not proved to be a deterrent.
He added that that he was not convinced by the explanation given in court around the latest breach.
“The time has come where in order to punish you, you will go into custody,” Sheriff Cruickshank said.
He also said he wanted to “send a message” that there will be consequences for people flouting conditions of bail.
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
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006
