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.

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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.