Court / Man admits breaching bail

A MAN from Mossbank has been told to leave Shetland and only return for his next court appearance after pleading guilty to breaching a bail condition.

Jamie Hopkins, of Sandside, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Friday to contacting his ex-partner on 21 April when a court order prohibited him to do so.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court that the 21-year-old, who was appearing from custody, had sent text messages to the woman over the space of around 40 minutes.

“This was not some sort of mistake,” he said, adding that it was a wilful breach of a court condition.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had been drinking and initially contacted the person by mistake, but carried on.

“There’s nothing particularly sinister in the communication,” Allan said, although Mackenzie challenged this assertion.

Allan successfully requested to honorary sheriff Eric Peterson that Hopkins be released from custody on bail ahead of sentencing on 12 May.

However, the court was told that Hopkins would be staying with his mother in Gosport on the south coast of England during this time.

Hopkins was told to leave Shetland within 24 hours and only return for his next court appearance, while he was also prohibited from contacting the complainer.