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Court / Wick man leaves mess at the Fort chip shop

A MAN from Wick who behaved aggressively and created a mess at the Fort Café & Take Away in Lerwick has been fined £400 and ordered to pay £250 in compensation.

Gordon William Macdonald pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the chip shop as well as struggling violently with police officers at Lerwick Police Station.

The 46-year old, described as a “gentle giant” by his defence solicitor Liam Mcallister, had no recollection of the incidents, but went back some days later to apologise and offer compensation.

Macdonald, of Morvendale, Newton Road, was not present at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

It all started when Macdonald ordered some food while drunk shortly before the chip shop was due to close on the 16 January this year.

When the two female members of staff prepared to close the premises and Macdonald was asked to leave, he became aggressive, made threats and started throwing his food around the premises.

Police were called and Macdonald was subsequently arrested. Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court officers had to use two sets of handcuffs because Macdonald was such a large man.

At the police station, he was released from the handcuffs, but for some unknown reason the tension flared up again resulting in a brief violent struggle before two police officers managed to restrain Macdonald again.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank fined Macdonald £400 and ordered him to pay £100 in compensation to the chip shop owner plus £75 each to the two female members of staff who were subjected to what was described as a “disgusting behaviour”.

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:

For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:

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

 
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