Court / Woman given prison sentence for ‘wholly inexcusable’ behaviour outside supermarket

A WOMAN has been given an 18-month prison sentence for “alcohol-fuelled and truculent behaviour” outside a Lerwick supermarket in the middle of the afternoon.

Sarah Irvine, 37, of Grampian Prison, appeared from custody via videolink at Lerwick Sheriff Court to admit a number of a charges.

They relate to offences mainly carried out at the Tesco supermarket in Lerwick on 7 October.

Irvine admitted shouting, swearing, uttering threats, spitting and behaving aggressively to ambulance staff and members of the public.

She also pleaded guilty to three separate assaults and struggling violently with police officers.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident began at around 2.30pm on a Friday afternoon.

A member of the public was leaving the supermarket before encountering Irvine, the court heard.

Irvine was “heavily intoxicated” and had a vodka bottle, Mackenzie said, but she ended up having a seizure – with the shopper and another passer-by helping her to the ground.

An ambulance was called and arrived quickly, and Irvine was transferred onto a stretcher.

But as she came round Irvine was “extremely volatile” to ambulance crew – shouting, swearing and lashing out at them.

Mackenzie said the conduct was so violent that a number of people had to give assistance as crew attempted to restrain Irvine.

A trainee nurse at the nearby ambulance station was also passing by, but she was kicked by Irvine.

The court heard Irvine was also “spitting profusely”.

She managed to free herself before assaulting another shopper, who was standing outside the supermarket smoking, by grabbing hold of her and swinging her head into a display stand.

This person had her 12-year-old daughter with her, who was “reduced to tears”.

People managed to escort Irvine away and get her back on the stretcher, with two ambulance crew and three members of the public involved.

Irvine’s behaviour continued as she attempted to bite one of them before spitting in his face. The police then arrived and used leg restraints before taking her to the station.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said the course of behaviour was something Irvine was “clearly ashamed of”, adding that it was fortunate there were no serious injuries.

He said in particular she was “mortified” that she behaved in this way towards emergency services staff who have helped her in the past.

“She knows that the people have effectively kept her alive,” Allan said.

The solicitor added that alcohol withdrawal and fits are an “immense struggle” for his client, who is keen to stay away from prison.

“She is determined to break away from that pattern and start afresh,” Allan said.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said: “There is no doubt that this course of conduct was wholly inexcusable.

“It was alcohol-fuelled and truculent behaviour from start to finish.”

He ruled that there was no alternative to custody and sentenced Irvine to 18 months in prison, backdated to 10 October when she first entered custody.