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Nwicker60
16-Aug-11, 09:20
Excuse ‘highly unlikely’ sheriff tells drug user

A THURSO man’s explanation for standing outside the window of a local woman’s house, was rejected by the sheriff.
The accused, Scott Lindsay, claimed he was trying to contact a drug dealer and had got the wrong address.
Lindsay of Sweyn Road, Thurso, admitted behaving in a manner likely to cause fear or alarm, on July 28. It was stated that the woman, who is in her thirties, became aware of someone outside her house, late at night, attempting to peer through a window.
Senior fiscal depute, David Barclay said that the woman lifted the blind to reveal Lindsay who indicated he had gone to the wrong house. The police were contacted and the accused was detained. He apologised for disturbing the woman and said he had been trying to get in touch with a friend to get a couple of joints of cannabis.
However, Lindsay (35) claimed, in any case, to have known the occupant and maintained there had been “some difficulties” with her in the past.
Mr Barclay said that whether the explanation was genuine or not, Lindsay accepted that his conduct was “entirely inappropriate”.
Solicitor Neil Wilson referred to “a history” between the woman and the accused but said it was nothing more than coincidence that he gone to her house, on the night in question
Lindsay, who has been incustody following his arrest and initial appearance in court, two weeks ago, was on probation when he committed the offence.
Sheriff Andrew Berry described the accused’s explanation as “most remarkable” and commented: “I would have thought that peering in at the window of an apparent drug dealer might have had serious consequences for you. I think it is highly unlikely that there is any truth in that, whatsoever.”
The sheriff said that he was considering a substantial prison sentence but added that he was obliged to call for reports to establish the exact relationship between the accused and the woman and also to gauge whether he posed a risk to any other member of the public.
Lindsay, who has an extensive record, will reappear in court for sentence on September 2.
Refused to hand baby over

Picked up baby-refused to hand her over

A CAITHNESS man walked into the home of his ex-girlfriend, picked up their baby daughter and refused to hand him back.
The 20-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted behaving in a manner likely to cause fear or alarm, and a number of previous convictions, when he appeared from custody.
The court was told that the incident occurred on Sunday. The former girlfriend was in her bedroom shortly after 9pm, getting the 16-month-old baby down for the night.
Mr Barclay said that the woman became aware of someone in the house but assumed it was a friend she had been expecting a visit from.
He continued: “She suddenly became aware of the accused in her bedroom. He was clearly intoxicated and picked up the child and refused to give him back.”
The police were called in and the accused was detained. It emerged that, despite the split, there was still contact between him and his ex-girlfriend.
The accused admitted he had been drinking and had consumed five or six cans of lager, earlier in the day.
Mr Barclay said that alcohol had, in fact, been an issue and had played a part in the break-up. The accused had indicated to the police that he was taking steps to deal with his drink problem.
Mr Wilson said that despite the break-up, the accused continued to support his former girlfriend and his infant daughter and visited them fairly frequently. The incident was a ‘blip’ in the relationship.
Sheriff Berry deferred sentence for reports, until September 16 and granted the accused bail, with a condition banning him from visiting or contacting his ex-girlfriend.