Court / Nelson admonished after serving long period in custody
A MAN from Mossbank who admitted brandishing an axe during an argument walked free from court on Tuesday after it was accepted that he had “in effect” already served a 14-month prison sentence while in custody.
Appearing at Lerwick Sheriff Court, Adam Nelson pleaded guilty to an amended charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a house in the village on 5 May 2020.
He admitted brandishing an axe, shouting, swearing, behaving aggressively and striking an external door with the axe and thereby smashing a pane of glass.
Not guilty pleas to a number of other charges were accepted by the Crown.
Nelson, of Leaside, was arrested and spent the next seven months, during the height of the Covid pandemic, in custody.
Defence solicitor Gregor Kelly described the history of the case in front of the court as “unfortunate” in that it was very old, and this was partly because he had lost contact with his client and hence Nelson did not receive the solicitor’s correspondence.
He said his client was now 34 years old, had to some extent rid himself from his addiction, and was generally not of good health.
Kelly said Nelson realises that it was a serious matter, adding that he “has served what is in effect a 14-month sentence”.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank agreed, and admonished and dismissed Nelson.
He was also admonished on a charge of stealing a bottle of aftershave from Boots in Lerwick on 9 February this year.
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