Court / Man jailed for domestic abuse

A FORTY two year old man has been sent to prison for five months after admitting acting in a threatening and abusive behaviour and adopting an aggressive manner towards his pregnant partner at an address in Mossbank.

Norman Donald, of Leaside, Mossbank, appeared from custody for sentencing at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to the charge at an earlier court hearing.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said a neighbour had heard Donald shouting and swearing on 23 September and called the police.

On arrival officers had to force entry to the house and found the complainer in a distressed state.

Donald was already subject to a community payback order at the time for a previous similar offence.

Pleading for leniency from the court, defence solicitor Liam McAllister said Donald was well aware that he was too old for this “type of behaviour” and added he had the support of his parents in trying to address his alcohol issues.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told Donald that his conduct had been “wholly unacceptable”. This was compounded, the sheriff added, by the fact he had been sentenced for another domestic offence in August this year.

“On this occasion you have crossed the custody threshold, not only to punish you but also to deter others,” the sheriff said.

The jail term was backdated to 24 September when Donald was first taken into custody. The sheriff also imposed a 15-month non-harassment order.