Court / Woman who allegedly threatened to stab politician told to stay away from him

A WOMAN who allegedly threatened to stab MP Alistair Carmichael has been released on bail but ordered not to approach or contact the politician.

Clair Syme, from Lerwick’s King Harald Street, is said to have also threatened to put a brick through Carmichael’s window.

Syme allegedly made the threats while attending the Department of Work and Pensions in Lerwick’s Charlotte House, Commercial Road, on 23 May this year.

The 50-year-old also allegedly behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards staff, and is said to have shouted and swore at them.

All of this is said to have occurred while Syme was on bail.

Defence agent Tommy Allan asked if the case could be continued without plea for four weeks.

However procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie asked if Syme could be bailed on special conditions, including for her not to be allowed to be approach or contact Carmichael.

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He also said Syme should not be allowed to attend the MP’s Shetland office on Commercial Street, or his Orkney office in Kirkwall.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank amended this so that Syme cannot “enter” either the Shetland or Orkney parliamentary offices, or to attempt to enter them.

Syme asked, from the dock, if this meant she could “still go to Superdrug” on the Lerwick street.

“Absolutely,” responded the sheriff.