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.

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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.