Court / Ten month prison term for domestic abuse

A LERWICK man has been imprisoned for threatening and abusive behaviour towards his ex-partner.

Colin Robertson, 38, of Hoofields, was already serving a 45 day prison term when he appeared for sentencing at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

At an earlier hearing he had admitted committing the offence at an address at Gulberwick on 3 January, while on bail.

Defending Robertson, solicitor Tommy Allan told the court that his client accepts but had until now not really appreciated what effect his behaviour was having on his ex-partner.

Allan said Robertson was willing to work on that as part of the Respect programme, which led the sheriff to ask why one would need training to understand that banging doors and windows was unacceptable behaviour and would have a profound impact on one’s partner.

Jailing Robertson for a period of 10 months, sheriff Ian Cruickshank said abuse in a relationship could take many forms and that no one should suffer any domestic abuse.

He said there was no alternative to a custodial sentence, and backdated the prison term to 4 January when Robertson was first taken into custody.

The sheriff also issued a two year long non-harassment order in which Robertson will not be allowed make or attempt to make contact with the woman.