Court / Court round-up 20 July 2022

A MAN from Whalsay has had his sentence deferred for good behaviour after admitting shouting, swearing, berating and laughing derisively at his estranged wife.

Rudi Meier, of North Park, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to behaving in a threatening or abusive manager towards the woman on the isle on 8 March.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 44-year-old’s behaviour stemmed from “ranting” about Covid tests – which ultimately led the woman to retreat to a bedroom.

Mackenzie said Meier then began berating and mocking the woman through the door, with the episode lasting around 20 minutes.

“She was so frightened she phoned her parents, who lived nearby,” he said. They attended and the situation calmed down, the court heard.

Defence agent Tommy Allan noted that he could “personally testify that [Meier’s] voice is extremely loud” and that his client often puts forward his point of view on things.

He said the offence may have partly been down to anxiety – but Allan said it was perhaps wise for Meier to sometimes listen, rather than talk. The court heard that he had apologised for his behaviour.

The solicitor said his client accepts that his “behaviour crossed the line here, albeit perhaps by not that much” – but Mackenzie later said the incident was more than just a “domestic argument – it went well beyond that”.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank noted that Meier was due in the civil court as well, which includes orders being in place, and decided to defer sentence until January for him to show good behaviour.

A MAN who behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards police officers after being told to leave a pub has been fined £500.

Liam McLaren, of Lerwick’s South Lochside, carried out the offence on 7 May at the KB in Scalloway and within a vehicle en route to Lerwick Police Station.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday that the police tried to engage with the 27-year-old – but his response was to “hurl abuse at the officers”.

The charge McLaren pleaded guilty to at the court said the behaviour was aggravated by prejudice relating to disability and sexual orientation.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client “fully recognises how bad his behaviour was – he is sorry for it”.

STEALING items from shops in Lerwick has led to a woman being placed under a community payback order.

Jessica Richards, of the town’s North Lochside, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to taking a number of items from the Peacocks clothes shop in the Co-op on 13 May.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the value of goods stolen was £46, and that they were not recovered.

The 31-year-old had previously admitted also stealing items from Peacock’s, the Freefield Post Office and Cee and Jays over two days in January.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank gave Richards a community payback order as an alternative to a fine, with the woman given 12 months supervision.

POSSESSING a trace amount of cocaine and 38 tablets of ecstasy has cost a man from Sandwick £540.

David Smith, 35, of Setter, admitted possessing the drugs at St Ninian’s Isle on 11 July last year.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the value of the ecstasy amounted to £315.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said “recreational drug use has been something from time to time he’s lapsed into”.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank fined Smith £300 for the ecstasy charge and £200 for the cocaine offence, adding on £40 in a victim surcharge fee.