Court / Sheriff court round-up

A TWENTY year old man who made sexual remarks to a woman in a shop in Lerwick has been placed under a community payback order.

Scott Garriock, of Dunrossness, previously admitted making the comments without her consent at the Shetland Community Bike Project on 11 October.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday defence agent Tommy Allan said his client “should have known better” and suggested it was down to immaturity.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank noted that there will be new sentencing guidelines will soon come into force in Scotland for people aged under 25, which has a focus on maturity as well as the importance of rehabilitation.

Taking this into account, the sheriff decided to place Garriock under supervision for 18 months and gave him 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also told to participate in the Moving Forward, Making Changes programme, and was placed on the sex offenders register for 18 months.

A MAN from Lerwick has admitted shouting, swearing and making threatening comments to staff at a town shop earlier this year.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday Thomas Hall pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place at the Sound Service Station on 29 August.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 38-year-old became angry when questioned over a drink he was consuming, and when he didn’t have enough money to pay for items.

His behaviour caused the shop assistant to become distressed, making her panic.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank adjourned the case until 5 January for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.

A RIFLE which was passed down a family as an heirloom was the subject of a court case on Wednesday.

Lee Miller, of Sandness, admitted possessing the rifle without an air weapon certificate on 5 July when his case called at Lerwick Sheriff Court.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said the rifle had been passed to the 46-year-old as a family heirloom and that no illegality was intended.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie called for the forfeiture of the gun and its ammo, but defence agent Tommy Allan said his client does not want the gun and that the family wanted the rifle to transfer to his father.

There was discussion over the ins and outs of how the rifle could potentially be given to the father – because if it was temporarily handed back to Miller then he would again be in breach of air weapon law.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank decided to defer the case for three months for Miller to be of good behaviour and give time for arrangements to be explored for the rifle.

“In the meantime that means the gun is going nowhere,” he said.