Court / Ten month prison term for Patterson

A WOMAN from Lerwick who was given a second chance by the court earlier this year has found herself back in prison.

Sarah Patterson, of the town’s Hill Grind, behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at Lerwick’s Gilbert Bain Hospital and police station on 26 June by shouting, swearing and making homophobic remarks.

The 36-year-old previously had sentence deferred on two other matters for her to show good behaviour.

As a result of the latest offence, Patterson was given a total of ten months in prison when her case called at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank described the hospital incident as a “further example of totally unacceptable, alcohol fuelled vitriolic” behaviour.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said staff at the hospital had contacted police after Patterson – who had been drinking – became disruptive and abusive.

Officers attended but the woman shouted and swore at them as they arrested her and took her to the police station.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client was “mortified” she had abused a police officer who had supported her in the past.

At a previous court hearing on another matter Sheriff Ian Cruickshank decided against sending Patterson to prison after hearing of a “sea change” in her life.

However, the court heard on Wednesday that Patterson – who was appearing from custody – had left a rehab facility early and had returned to Shetland.

This time around sheriff Cruickshank said he felt there was no other alternative than to send her to custody.

Allan said prior to the hospital incident Patterson made the “spectacularly ill-advised” decision to open her door to an acquaintance who is well known to the court. “She should have known [it was ill-advised], but was unable to say no.”

The court heard, however, that Patterson is currently clean and is making progress.

Her ten-month prison sentence was backdated to 27 June, when she first entered custody.