Court round-up – 7 June 2023

A MAN from Lerwick appeared at the town’s sheriff court in private on Wednesday on drugs charges.

James Gray, 56, faced two charges of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

He made no plea, was committed for further examination and released on bail.

A MAN from Burra has had his sentence deferred after admitting behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his partner earlier this year.

Jamie Newlands, of Hamnavoe, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit shouting and swearing at the woman at an address in Tingwall on 3 February, as well as removing a phone from her and pointing a knife at himself.

Defence agent Liam McAllister said the 38-year-old was “disgusted” by his own behaviour.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said on the day prior to the offence Newlands was upset that his partner decided to have food with a friend and not him.

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Mackenzie said that at around 8pm the next day Newlands returned home and brought up the situation again, but the woman said in her view the matter was over and asked him to leave.

“At that point he became irate,” Mackenzie said, before Newlands picked up a knife.

The court heard that he did not threaten her with the knife, but Mackenzie said Newlands was shouting, swearing and berating her.

Police were called when a neighbour overhead the incident, and the court was told that there was a “degree of victim blaming” from the accused when speaking to officers.

Mackenzie said the couple are still together and that a non-harassment order was not sought.

In mitigation defence agent McAllister said there had been some difficult issues in Newlands’ private life resulting in trauma.

He said that medication given to him in December had a “negative and ultimately catastrophic effect”.

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However the solicitor said the medication has now been adjusted and that things were now on a more stable footing.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said given the circumstances he would defer sentence until 29 November for Newlands to be of good behaviour.

A WOMAN from Sandness has been fined £400 and given six penalty points for road traffic offences.

Stacey Ryan, 27, was fined for driving without insurance at the Ladies Drive junction in Lerwick on 2 March and failing to comply with seatbelt regulations.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the offences came to light after the car was checked by police officers on a mobile patrol.