Irvine remanded while awaiting sentence
SENTENCE on a woman who committed a number of offences shortly after being released from prison has been adjourned until the end of October for background reports.
Appearing at Lerwick Sheriff Court via video link on Thursday, Sarah Irvine pleaded guilty to four charges including assaulting police officers, failing to disclose she was carrying a sharp object, as well as behaving threateningly towards a number of people.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court that the 38-year-old had only been released from prison on 26 June for similar offending when police were called to an incident on Lerwick’s Union Street and Burgh Road on 7 July.
The fiscal said Irvine, of Grampian Prison, had a “profound difficulty with alcohol” and her offending followed a repeated pattern.
On the day in question Irvine was seen behaving “extremely erratically” and “shouting incoherently”, as well as behaving threateningly towards a wheelchair user and entering a number of houses asking for “dope”, leaving householders “terrified”.
When police arrived at the scene she was searched and failed to disclose that she was carrying a knife.
While on the way to Lerwick Police Station, Irvine continued behaving in a threatening manner and swearing abuse.
Three police officers were required to remove her from the police van as Irvine continued kicking, shouting and spitting, with spit landing on two of the three officers.
The court heard she had to be fully restrained but still managed to kick one officer in the face.
Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said it was unfortunate that her client had started drinking again after being released from prison.
However, Allan also said that Irvine was now seeing mental health professionals in prison and the possibility of going into rehabilitation had been discussed.
He asked for background reports to be prepared and added that his client was keen to “find a way forward”.
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The defence solicitor said he would speak further in mitigation once the court had sight of these reports.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank deferred sentence until 30 October to allow time for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty assessment to be prepared.
There was no application for bail and custody was continued.
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