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Court / Woman admits threatening behaviour in court building

A WOMAN has admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards a fellow trial witness at Lerwick Sheriff Court earlier this year.

Charlotte Close, of Lerwick’s Clairmont Place, pleaded guilty to adopting an aggressive demeanour, shouting and uttering threats towards the woman inside the court building on 22 February.

The 25-year-old had been involved in a trial that day and was subsequently remanded in the cells overnight for consideration of contempt of court.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said as Close was being led to the cells she encountered the woman, who was leaving the court building, and threatened her.

Mackenzie said the complainer had found the trial day “testing” and added that her “anxiety was amplified to a degree of fear”.

He said it was the crown’s position that despite the trial matter, Close made the comments of her “own volition”.

Defence agent Gregor Kelly, appearing via videolink, said Close wanted to apologise for her “unedifying conduct” in court that day.

Speaking in mitigation, he said his client was in a relationship with the accused in the trial at the time, had been “under his spell” and was doing “his bidding”.

“She’s now thankfully seen the light and is away from the clutches of the protagonist,” he said.

Kelly also said Close has been receiving support in relation to this.

With a potential supervision order on his mind, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank adjourned the case until 8 May to allow the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.

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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