Court / Sentence deferred after police assault

A WOMAN from Lerwick who admitted assaulting a police officer has had her sentence deferred to be of good behaviour.

Sarah Irvine, of Hill Grind, was also fined £65 for failing to switch off loud music at the request of the police.

The 34-year-old appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday to admit assaulting a police officer on 24 September at Hill Grind by kicking him on the head and body.

Irvine also behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incidents happened when police were called over concerns over her drunken behaviour.

She ended up having a struggle with a police officer in the front garden of the property before the assault took place. No injuries were sustained.

The incident with the noise took place on 2 September at her home address, with alcohol again a factor.

Police were initially called to the property, but warnings were not heeded, Mackenzie said, with officers returning in the early hours.

The police seized a TV, speakers, a sound bar and two mobile phones used to play the music.

In mitigation defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had seemingly turned her life around after giving up drink in recent months.

“There’s real hope that she can make some meaningful change,” he said.

He described her as not just being in a better place but on a “different planet” compared to before.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said Allan had “presented a powerful plea of mitigation” in defence of Irvine.

He decided to defer sentence on the matters which took place on 24 September for six months for Irvine to show good behaviour.

The sheriff also turned down a request from the crown to forfeit the items seized in the noise offence.

Before denying the request the sheriff – a keen accordion player – asked Allan what genre of music Irvine might be listening to if he handed the sound equipment back.

“Obviously I would like to say she’s a big fan of accordion music,” the solicitor replied.