Court / Count round-up 17 May 2023

A FORTY seven year old man from Sheffield who drove off the NorthLink ferry in Lerwick whilst over the limit has been banned from the road for 12 months.

Craig Proctor, of Emerson Crescent, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit driving at the ferry terminal on 14 April with 47 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 22.

He was also fined £500.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client was travelling on a ferry for the first time and was anxious – and took some drink during the overnight sailing, but misjudged the amount.

QUESTIONS on the jurisdiction of the court were raised during a case on Wednesday.

Sandra Irvine, of Boddam, appeared on a charge of shouting and swearing at a man and woman on roads in the area on 28 November last year.

The 60-year-old requested that independence campaigner Stuart Hill speak on her behalf as a power of attorney, after previously questioning the jurisdiction of the court in a letter.

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However after quoting a number of legal references Sheriff Ian Cruickshank ruled that it was not possible for Hill to speak on Irvine’s behalf as he was not qualified.

After some lengthy discussion Irvine – who wished to be called “Sandra” in court, to the sheriff’s displeasure – had her not guilty plea recorded and had a trial fixed for 3 August.

A MAN who was spotted going into a car after drinking appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit failing to provide specimens of breath to police.

Richard Day, of Lerwick’s Breiwick Road, also admitted acting aggressively towards police officers and aiming a kick at a constable.

The incidents happened on 5 April at his home address as well as the town’s police station.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the alarm was raised by staff at a pub after they saw him leave the premises and enter a car.

Police attended the 47-year-old’s home and saw the car parked outside.

Mackenzie added once taken to the station he “simply refused to provide a breath sample”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had family circumstances ongoing at the time of the offence, and that alcohol had been consumed. He said Day had not drunk alcohol since.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank called for a criminal justice social work report and deferred the case until 14 June.

TWO men from the North Mainland have been given more time to pay back £25,000 which they had stolen from someone else’s bank account over a period of time to fund a drug habit.

Ian, 69, and Michael Herridge, 42, both of Assater in Hillswick, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

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The father and son had previously admitted carrying out the offence between 8 July 2020 and 10 January 2021 at various locations in Shetland, including at a bank and post offices.

The court heard on Wednesday that around £8,000 had been paid back so far – which Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said was a “noble effort” given the circumstances.

Defence agent Tommy Allan, however, acknowledged there was still “some way to go”.

A MAN from Lerwick who behaved aggressively to social workers at the town’s Hayfield House has had his case adjourned for reports.

Lee Noble, of North Road, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to shouting and swearing at social workers in the building on 7 February, and refusing to leave.

The 29-year-old also pleaded guilty to struggling violently with police officers and failing to provide a name and address.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Noble had attended Hayfield House to speak to a particular worker but they were not available.

The police were informed after he started to become aggressive to staff.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank adjourned the case until 14 June for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.