Jail warning for Walls man behind ‘harrowing’ attacks on family and dog

Content warning: This story contains details of domestic abuse. If you have been affected by this issue, help is available.

A WALLS man who pleaded guilty to a lengthy series of assaults against his former partner, their children and the family dog has been told to expect a jail sentence.

Henry Wishart, 38, was also ordered to hand over the labrador dog to his former partner after Lerwick Sheriff Court heard he was still looking after it.

Wishart pleaded guilty to subjecting his ex-partner to a catalogue of abuse between 1 January 2022 and 19 May 2025, which occurred across various locations including the family home and the A970 main road.

He admitted punching her in the head while he was driving, throwing a knife, mobile phone, a broom and a tape measure at her – all to her injury – and repeatedly making derogatory comments about her appearance.

He also repeatedly shouted, swore and acted aggressively towards her.

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Lerwick Sheriff Court heard Wishart had repeatedly driven at grossly excessive speeds with her in the car to cause her fear or alarm and had also braked harshly to scare her.

Between 1 April 2022 and 19 May 2025, Wishart also subjected his children to a series of attacks or assaults.

On one occasion he submerged the head of one of his children in a bucket of water, and on another he locked his children in an unfinished room of a house and covered the door up with a wooden board.

On repeated occasions he also behaved violently towards the family dog in their presence.

The court heard that between 01 January 2023 and 01 May 2025 Wishart caused unnecessary suffering to the animal, including repeatedly striking and kicking it.

Wishart also suspended the dog from the ground at height using a rope and did “repeatedly kick the dog on the body”.

He admitted all the charges when appearing from Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie called this an “extremely harrowing” case.

He said he would have to prepare a lengthy written narrative to be read to the court when Wishart is sentenced.

And he said there were several USBs of evidence in which Wishart could be heard carrying out the abuse against the family, which the sentencing sheriff would be required to listen to.

Wishart could be heard shouting and swearing in these, he said, and in one instance his children can be heard pleading with him to stop.

He said the sentencing sheriff would likely need to hear the recordings more than once to get a full understanding of Wishart’s offending.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said the dog was still with Wishart at present, which gave Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald cause for great concern.

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She questioned why the children did not have access to the animal, saying Wishart “clearly doesn’t seem to like it”.

Allan said the dog had been examined by the SSPCA and by a vet three times since Wishart was arrested.

However, sheriff MacDonald called for Wishart to hand it over – with an agreement that he would put it to Shetland Vets in Bixter for his ex-partner to collect before his next court appearance.

Mackenzie said he would be asking the court to impose orders banning Wishart from contacting his former partner and their children.

He also said he would be calling for a disqualification order in terms of Wishart owning animals.

The sheriff warned Wishart that he would likely be facing a custodial sentence due to the severity of the offences.

She deferred sentencing for the preparation of background reports. He will return for sentencing on 1 July.