Court / Unpaid work for controlling and abusive behaviour
A THIRTY six year old man from the north of England has been put under supervision for two years and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work after he was found guilty of controlling and abusive behaviour towards a former partner.
Mark Gilhespy, of Roseberry Terrace, Boldon, Colliery, Tyne on Wear, was also banned from the road for eight months and fined £400 for driving while disqualified on the A970 near Gulberwick on 3 October.
He was fined an additional £240 for taking and driving away a van from an address in Cunningsburgh without the consent of the owner, also on 3 October last year.
The 37-year-old was not in court today (Wednesday) and efforts to contact him had failed. Personal appearance had been excused but he was due hear the sheriff’s verdict via video link.
Gilhespy had been found guilty of an amended charge of controlling and abusive behaviour during a three hour trial in May.
The offences against a former partner were all committed over a two-month period between 7 August and 3 October at a Lerwick address.
Sentencing him, sheriff Ian Cruickshank said the community payback order which includes supervision and unpaid work was imposed as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.
The sheriff also issued a non-harassment order for 18 months which means Gilhespy is barred from contacting or attempting to contact the complainer.
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
