Nwicker60
12-Sep-11, 15:47
Youth's text requests for nude photos of girlfriend was meant to be a joke
A MOBILE phone romance became a police matter after teenager Alexander Shaw asked his girlfriend for some naked photos of herself.
However, the court was told that there was no “sinister” sexual undertones, and, as senior fiscal depute, David Barclay put it, it was a case of “two teenagers at an awkward stage” in their lives.
Shaw, now 17, of Henrietta Street, Wick, admitted sending the 15-year-old Ross-shire girl indecent text messages between February 1 and March 16, last year.
The couple struck up a relationship after being introduced by a mutual friend. Mr Barclay said that while there might have been one or two meetings, the romance was conducted mainly by telephone and text communications.
Mr Barclay said that one of the difficulties of text communications was that it wasn’t always possible to convey clearly, something that might be taken to be humour or a joke, face-to-face.
Although the girl “got a bit annoyed” about the text traffic which was “inappropriate” it would be wrong to read anything “sexually sinister” into it.
The accused’s mother became aware of the messages and the police were notified. Mr Barclay said that when interviewed, Shaw said he couldn’t recollect details of the messages but added that if he had requested naked pictures of the girl, it would have been said “for a laugh”.
Mr Barclay commented: “I think the Crown are accepting that this was more likely to have been the motivation. “
Sheriff Andrew Berry , who noted that Shaw was a first offender, said that it appeared to have been a “foolish” act from which the accused would have learned a lesson but added that in the public interest he would call for background reports to give him an independent assessment.
The sheriff will also hear from solicitor Neil Wilson when Shaw returns to court for sentence on October 11 and he added that there was no need to put the accused on the sex offenders register.
Accused apologised for upsetting remarks to girls
UNEMPLOYED Joseph Hedley was fined £150 after he admitted making derrogatory remarks to two girls about their sexuality.
It happened at a house in Marr Terrace, Thurso, on June 25, when people were "coming and going."
Hedley (59) of Brownhill Road, Thurso, who met the girls by chance, told police that he had made comments which could be considered abusive or upsetting.
Solicitor Neil Wilson said that there was a background of bad feeling between the girls and the accused but he wished to apologise for his remarks which had been said in the heat of the moment.
Sheriff Berry was told that the girls wished to put the incident behind them.
Had knife in Thurso garden
THE sheriff called for reports on a knife charge he described as “serious”.
Kelvin Clark, of Marr Terrace, Thurso, admitted having the Stanley-style knife in his possession at the rear of a house in Ablyn Court, Thurso.
It was stated that police were called to the area in the early hours of July 3, after receiving a report of a man “acting in a strange manner”.
They spoke to Clark (28) and due to his slurred speech, formed the impression he was “under the influence of something”. As he was about to be searched, the accused volunteered the information that he had a knife in his jeans and it was recovered.
Clark claimed that he had been using the knife to lay carpets. The accused will return to court for sentence on October 11 when the sheriff will see reports.
Knife accused back in court
A FRENCH surfer, accused of having a knife in a Thurso street is to appear, in the dock on Friday.
Charles Martin, of 16 Marina Village, 97160 Saint Francois, Guadeloupe, was excused attendance in court today,when his agent, Neil Wilson, advised that the matter was “getting close to being resolved”.
Martin previously pleaded not guilty to having the knife with a 11.2cms serated blade, on him, in West George Street, Thurso, on April 18. He had been in Caithness for Thurso’s Wave North festival.
The accused will appear in court on Friday when an interpreter will also be present.
Found with amphetamine
Martin Gunn was ordered to carry out 75 hours unpaid community work, after he admitted a drugs offence.
Gunn (20) of Ormlie Lodge, Thurso, was detained by police, at the town's police station, on an unrelated matter and was found to have 18 grams of amphetamine powder on his person, worth £60 on the street.
He admitted possession, on July 1, while on bail.
A MOBILE phone romance became a police matter after teenager Alexander Shaw asked his girlfriend for some naked photos of herself.
However, the court was told that there was no “sinister” sexual undertones, and, as senior fiscal depute, David Barclay put it, it was a case of “two teenagers at an awkward stage” in their lives.
Shaw, now 17, of Henrietta Street, Wick, admitted sending the 15-year-old Ross-shire girl indecent text messages between February 1 and March 16, last year.
The couple struck up a relationship after being introduced by a mutual friend. Mr Barclay said that while there might have been one or two meetings, the romance was conducted mainly by telephone and text communications.
Mr Barclay said that one of the difficulties of text communications was that it wasn’t always possible to convey clearly, something that might be taken to be humour or a joke, face-to-face.
Although the girl “got a bit annoyed” about the text traffic which was “inappropriate” it would be wrong to read anything “sexually sinister” into it.
The accused’s mother became aware of the messages and the police were notified. Mr Barclay said that when interviewed, Shaw said he couldn’t recollect details of the messages but added that if he had requested naked pictures of the girl, it would have been said “for a laugh”.
Mr Barclay commented: “I think the Crown are accepting that this was more likely to have been the motivation. “
Sheriff Andrew Berry , who noted that Shaw was a first offender, said that it appeared to have been a “foolish” act from which the accused would have learned a lesson but added that in the public interest he would call for background reports to give him an independent assessment.
The sheriff will also hear from solicitor Neil Wilson when Shaw returns to court for sentence on October 11 and he added that there was no need to put the accused on the sex offenders register.
Accused apologised for upsetting remarks to girls
UNEMPLOYED Joseph Hedley was fined £150 after he admitted making derrogatory remarks to two girls about their sexuality.
It happened at a house in Marr Terrace, Thurso, on June 25, when people were "coming and going."
Hedley (59) of Brownhill Road, Thurso, who met the girls by chance, told police that he had made comments which could be considered abusive or upsetting.
Solicitor Neil Wilson said that there was a background of bad feeling between the girls and the accused but he wished to apologise for his remarks which had been said in the heat of the moment.
Sheriff Berry was told that the girls wished to put the incident behind them.
Had knife in Thurso garden
THE sheriff called for reports on a knife charge he described as “serious”.
Kelvin Clark, of Marr Terrace, Thurso, admitted having the Stanley-style knife in his possession at the rear of a house in Ablyn Court, Thurso.
It was stated that police were called to the area in the early hours of July 3, after receiving a report of a man “acting in a strange manner”.
They spoke to Clark (28) and due to his slurred speech, formed the impression he was “under the influence of something”. As he was about to be searched, the accused volunteered the information that he had a knife in his jeans and it was recovered.
Clark claimed that he had been using the knife to lay carpets. The accused will return to court for sentence on October 11 when the sheriff will see reports.
Knife accused back in court
A FRENCH surfer, accused of having a knife in a Thurso street is to appear, in the dock on Friday.
Charles Martin, of 16 Marina Village, 97160 Saint Francois, Guadeloupe, was excused attendance in court today,when his agent, Neil Wilson, advised that the matter was “getting close to being resolved”.
Martin previously pleaded not guilty to having the knife with a 11.2cms serated blade, on him, in West George Street, Thurso, on April 18. He had been in Caithness for Thurso’s Wave North festival.
The accused will appear in court on Friday when an interpreter will also be present.
Found with amphetamine
Martin Gunn was ordered to carry out 75 hours unpaid community work, after he admitted a drugs offence.
Gunn (20) of Ormlie Lodge, Thurso, was detained by police, at the town's police station, on an unrelated matter and was found to have 18 grams of amphetamine powder on his person, worth £60 on the street.
He admitted possession, on July 1, while on bail.