Court / Court round-up 26 October

A MAN has had his sentence deferred after pleading guilty to a charge relating to indecent photographs of children.

John Masterman, of Leaside, Mossbank, admitted the charge at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The charge stated that on 21 June last year at an address in Lerwick and elsewhere, the 40-year-old “did permit to be taken or make indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children”.

Sheriff David Harvie called for a criminal justice social work report to be prepared and deferred sentence until 9 November, when the court will hear the facts of the case as well as the defence mitigation. The sheriff also granted forfeiture of two phones.

A MAN from Shetland has been remanded in custody ahead of a trial in June on charges of domestic abuse and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

John Hutcheson, whose address was given as Grampian Prison, pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared from custody via videolink at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old is accused of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive or his partner or ex-partner between 15 January 2021 and 14 June this year.

He is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by fleeing from police officers on 14 June this year.

Hutcheson will stand trial on the charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 26 June next year.

A MAN from Glasgow has admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner to staff at Sumburgh Airport this summer.

Harry Birch, of Sandyhills, admitted via letter at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to shouting, swearing and behaving aggressively towards airport staff on 8 July and refusing to leave when asked to do so.

The 51-year-old had his case deferred until 9 November for personal appearance.