Court / Court round-up 8 May 2024

A LERWICK woman who admitted behaving aggressively towards fellow passengers on board a town bus service on 7 March has been jailed for seven months.

Appearing from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Sarah Irvine, of the town’s Hill Grind, also pleaded guilty to breaching bail conditions.

The term of imprisonment was backdated to 12 March when she was first remanded after breaching bail conditions.

A LERWICK man who behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards staff at the Thule Bar and struggled violently with police officers has been fined £1,200, plus a victim surcharge of £75.

Damien Gorman, of the town’s North Road, also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine a class A drug, which was found when he was searched by police officers on 15 October last year.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday how Gorman had been drinking in the pub all night and became argumentative when a drink was served in plastic glass.

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He was escorted off the premises and when outside the Thule, two police officers stepped in to assist. The 35-year-old was eventually arrested, handcuffed and taken to the station.

Gorman also admitted a charge of struggling with police officers, leading to one officer sustaining an injury.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client accepts that his conduct was out of order, and he wanted to apologise to the police officers involved.

He added that one reason for his client’s behaviour towards officers was the fact that the handcuffs were extremely tight.

 A “RIDICULOUSLY stupid” attempt to pervert the course of justice has resulted in a young man from Sullom being placed under supervision for 12 months whilst having to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work.

Daniel Johnson offered an acquaintance £300 in return to making a false statement to police following a minor road accident involving his partner, on 8 December last year.

Johnson admitted the offence at a court hearing last month.

In court on Wednesday, defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his 20-year old client agreed that it had been a poor decision and one that he now regrets.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said it had been a “ridiculously stupid thing” to do on Johnson’s part, and told him that the community payback order he imposed was an alternative to a custodial sentence.

A YOUNG man from Burra who was found to be driving with five times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood has been fined £600 and banned for a year.

Joe Williamson was spotted by an off-duty policeman driving erratically on Nedersund Road in Lerwick in the early hours of 11 April.

His reading was 112 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when up to 22 microgrammes is allowed.

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Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said losing his licence would create difficulties for his client, who was an apprentice and employed in the southend of Shetland.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said Williamson could reduce the period of disqualification by three months should he successfully complete the drink driver’s rehabilitation course.

A YOUNG woman from Lerwick who previously admitted behaving in a threatening manner towards another woman inside Lerwick Sheriff Court on 22 February has been put under supervision for nine months.

Charlotte Close, of the town’s Clairmont Place, admitted the charge at a court hearing in April.

The 24-year-old had been involved in a trial that day and was subsequently remanded in the cells overnight for consideration of contempt of court.

As Close was being led to the cells she encountered the fellow trial witness, who was leaving the court building, and threatened her.

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Defence solicitor Gregor Kelly told the court on Wednesday that his client has made a full admission and now realises the gravity of the offence.

In addition to the supervision, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank also imposed a non-harassment order which requires Close not to contact or attempt to contact the complainer for a period of a year.

A LERWICK man has been fined £300 for driving an electric scooter without a licence and insurance.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client Shaun Richmond, of St Olaf Street, had not been aware that in the UK these vehicles need to be insured and cannot be driven without a licence.

The 32-year-old admitted riding an electric scooter at King Harald Street on 1 February.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank also imposed six penalty points.