Court / Woman remanded in custody after admitting offences

A WOMAN who stole a child’s photo from a house and created a disturbance on a public bus has been remanded in custody.

Sarah Patterson, 33, of Hoofields, Lerwick, admitted two separate charges at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Patterson, on 9 April, had taken a taxi to what she thought was a friend’s house, but had gone to the wrong address in Sandveien and walked straight in.

The court heard that Patterson had been full of drink and was told to leave, but when she did so, she took a photo of a child and some artwork the primary pupil had done as a school project.

Her behaviour, and particularly the nature of the items she took, had alarmed the householder.

Seven days later, about 9.10pm, Patterson had gone on the Lerwick to Mossbank bus drunk and swigging a bottle of vodka. She had turned up as the bus was leaving and banged on the side to get the driver’s attention.

Procurator Fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that Patterson was “loud and belligerent to everyone on the bus”.

She was singing, swearing and going up and down the bus. One couple in particular drew her ire when she thought they were talking about her and she “shouted and swore in face of the female passenger”.

When the bus arrived in Mossbank, the driver finally stepped in and escorted Patterson off the bus.

After that she accosted a 15-year-old girl who had got off the bus, jabbering at her and “making no sense whatsoever”. She then scared the girl by pushing her on the forehead with her hand.

The court heard that she got the girl to accompany her to what she thought was a friend’s house, but once more got the address wrong. The householder took the girl in, who was by this time “extremely distressed” and told Patterson in “no uncertain terms” to leave before calling the police.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said that in both instances alcohol had been involved and Patterson had no control of her behaviour when under the influence.

When sober, she was full of remorse and had expressed her sorrow for the way she had behaved to everyone.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said that Patterson’s behaviour was “deplorable” and added that alcohol was the root cause.

He adjourned the case until 3 July for a criminal justice social work report to be compiled and a restriction of liberty assessment. Patterson was remanded in custody for the meantime.