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View Full Version : Cases from today's sheriff court session



Nwicker60
12-Oct-11, 16:27
Thought he didn't have to give samples because he had not been driving the car

A CAITHNESS plant operator was today fined for failing to provide police with breath samples, although it was subsequently discovered he had not been driving a car.
Wick Sheriff Court was told that the police had had reasonable grounds to suspect that Andrew McBeth had been driving the vehicle in his home village of Lybster, in April this year. Under current Road Traffic legislation, officers were entitled to request two samples of breath, at the police station.
Solicitor Neil Wilson said that the accused had fallen foul of his own misunderstanding of the law, in taking the view, he was not obliged to supply breath, as he had not been driving the car.
McBeth (34) of Mowat Place, Lybster, admitted failing to provide the samples and was fined £270. He also incurred 10 penalty points.

Slapped woman

A 71-year-old THURSO man slapped his ex-girlfriend during an argument at a get-together with friends in a house in the town.
Senior fiscal depute, David Barclay said that the incident at the house in Bayview Terrace, Thurso, on April 14, occurred after “a foolish argument” became heated. John Gunn slapped the woman once in the face. Everyone present had been drinking.
Mr Barclay said that the woman was still on good terms with the accused and their association appeared to be “an on-off” relationship.
Sheriff Andrew Berry said, that, as Gunn was currently on probation and was subject to a community service order, he would require background reports.
The accused, who lives in Morven Place, Thurso, admitted a charge of assault and a number of previous convictions. He will return to court for sentence, on November 11.

Cleared of till theft

Steven O’ Kane was cleared of a housebreaking offence.
Kane (20) of Hakon Road, Thurso, had denied breaking into the Shelina Spice Indian restaurant in the town and stealing a till containing £100, on November 21, last year.
However, after the trial had heard evidence from two witnesses, Mr Barclay announced he was no longer seeking a conviction. Kane was formally found not guilty of the charge.