News / Intoxicated driver banned / court round-up
A THIRTY two year old man from Lerwick who drove while intoxicated before refusing to give samples to the police has been banned from the road for more than a year.
Magnus Thomson, of 4 Sletts Road, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving while unfit through drink or drugs at the Queens Place/Annsbrae Place roundabout in Lerwick on 15 December.
He also pled guilty to failing to give a blood or urine sample at Lerwick Police Station on the same day.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Thomson collided with another car and was “clearly under the influence” and slurring speech when police arrived.
He was arrested after providing a negative breath sample and taken to the Lerwick station, but he refused a blood test by claiming he had insufficient veins. Thomson then declined a urine test.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had taken sleeping medication the day before and was unaware it would still affect his system.
He added that Thomson had an operation for a clot last year and had been taking blood-thinning tablets, making him worried about the effects of giving a sample.
Sheriff Philip Mann ruled that Thomson had “put the safety of the public at risk” by taking to the wheel and disqualified him from driving for 15 months.
He was also fined a total of £600.
A FIFTY year old man who claimed he grew cannabis plants in his Lerwick for medicinal purposes will learn his fate next month.
Ian Leask, of 6 Prospect House, Law Lane, pleaded guilty via video link to Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to producing the Class B drug between 11 September and 11 February.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly said his client cultivated cannabis for personal use because he found it to be the “most effective” form of pain relief for back problems.
The solicitor called for a medical report to be delivered before sentencing.
Sheriff Mann agreed to the request and in addition ordered a criminal justice social inquiry report to be prepared.
The sheriff also stated his wish for Leask to appear in court in person and adjourned the case until 13 April, with the 50 year old remanded in the meantime.
THIRTY seven year old Craig Nelson also appeared from custody via video link on Wednesday to admit a trio of charges.
The man, of no fixed abode, pled guilty behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, making threats and banging on doors and windows at an address at Scalloway’s Undirhoul on 5 February.
Nelson also admitted being in possession of a kitchen knife at the same address and maliciously smearing excrement over the walls of a cell at Lerwick Police Station later the same day.
Sheriff Mann ruled that Nelson had the right to hear the case’s narration in person and deferred sentence until 13 April, with a social work report also requested.
He was remanded in custody in the meantime.
A MAN who was likely to have been “used” by acquaintances to smash the window of a house in Lerwick has been placed under curfew for five months.
Kieran Roberts, of 31 Haldane Burgess Crescent, previously admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court to shouting, swearing, making threats and smashing a window at an address on the town’s Hill Grind on 13 September.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie previously told court that the 28 year old was probably used by “associates” who “filled his head with stories” about the occupants of the house in a bid to exact revenge.
Defence agent Tommy Allan had said Roberts’ acquaintances gave him a bottle of wine to down, which he drank in three seconds.
He added in an earlier hearing that his client “deteriorated significantly” after being taken into custody in September, with Roberts claiming he suffered strokes in jail.
After considering social work reports, Sheriff Mann decided to place him under curfew, with Roberts unable to leave his home between 7pm-7am, seven days a week.
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