Court / Man to face sentencing after ‘utterly incomprehensible’ house damage
A MAN from Aberdeenshire will be sentenced next month after entering a house he had no connection with and causing damage which could cost at least £100,000 to rectify.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday how Greg Reid “utterly trashed” the house in the South Nesting area on 31 October last year.
Some of the damage included smashing windows, ripping fixtures and fittings from walls, making holes in walls and spraying a dry fire extinguisher around the home.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told court that when police attended after the incident the 26-year-old – who had been in Shetland temporarily to work – appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Reid appeared at court on Wednesday to admit damaging the house as well as behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on the same day which included shouting, screaming and banging on doors.
Mackenzie said concern was initially raised by an elderly woman and her son who lived nearby, after hearing shouting and swearing at around 9.30am.
The court heard that a man – Reid, who did not turn up for work that day – tried to enter a house but left after entering a porch.
The woman’s son heard glass breaking and shouting and swearing “as if someone had gone completely mad”.
The court heard that Reid then entered an unsecured house and caused significant damage.
Mackenzie said the man smashed double and triple glazing window units of the exterior, and discharged the contents of a dry fire extinguisher, which caused permanent damage.
The court heard that internal doors were damaged beyond repair, with furniture overturned. There was also damage to kitchen cabinets as well as large items like the fridge.
Mackenzie said a knife was used to create holes in walls, with electrical wiring pulled out.
“The house was rendered completely uninhabitable,” he said.
The police were called and arrived at around 10.10am, tracing him nearby.
Mackenzie said Reid had powder from the fire extinguisher on his face as well as some minor injuries.
The court heard how Reid was arrested and taken into a police van, where he struck his head off the vehicle and handcuffs, before being taken to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
When interviewed by police, Reid said he did not know what happened.
Mackenzie added that the occupant of the house was “utterly distraught” by the damage caused.
A quote was provided to make good the damage caused to the house, which came to £71,400.
When factoring in furniture and other items then the full estimate of the cost of damage increased to between £100,000 and £120,000, Mackenzie said.
The court heard that some items of personal and sentimental value were damaged.
Mackenzie said the incident understandably had a significant impact on the complainer and their partner.
The court heard that the property was not insured, and that the house and its occupants had no connection to Reid. “It was completely random,” Mackenzie said.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said he would reserve mitigation until the next hearing.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank adjourned the case for social work reports until 22 October.
The sheriff said that although he had not heard the defence mitigation yet, it appeared to be a “bizarre and utterly incomprehensible incident”.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
