Nwicker60
05-Dec-11, 19:09
Threatened party-goers with knife
A WICK man didn’t take kindly to being asked to leave a party at a house in the town and he returned, shortly afterwards- carrying a knife.
When asked, initially, to hand it over, Hugh Newlands replied: “I’m going to have you”.
The dramatic incident was described at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday (Monday) after Newlands admitted charges of threatening behaviour and assault, on indictment. Sheriff Andrew Berry heard that Newlands (23) did part with the knife but then went on to attack his former girlfriend, outside the house.
The court was told that Newlands and four other people were enjoying drinks in the house in Henrietta Street, Wick on October 31, in what senior fiscal depute, David Barclay described as a friendly atmosphere, initially.
However, Newlands became “boisterous” and was asked to leave. He complied with the request but returned 20 to 30 minutes later with the knife, threatening that he was going to harm those present.
Mr Barclay said that it was an empty threat, for shortly afterwards, he handed over the knife outside the house, to one of the female visitors who put it away safely. Everyone went back into the house and suddenly Newlands lashed out at Leanna Gunn, punching her repeatedly on her head, causing her to fall. Her nose as swollen and bleeding and she had two swollen lips and a bump on her forehead, but did not require medical treatment.
The incident was reported to the police and the accused, who had left the house, was detained.
Solicitor Neil Wilson said that Newlands’ recollection of events was “somewhat hazy”. He had been drinking at the house in question which the solicitor described as “a drinking den” and had also taken some diazepam tablets.
Mr Wilson said that Newlands had numerous convictions and fully anticipated a prison sentence but it was to be hoped that he would use his time in custody to “reflect on his behaviour and his future”.
Sheriff Berry deferred sentence pending background reports commenting that he would have to consider whether or not the public would be liable to serious harm from Newlands if the court incorporated a supervised early release into the custodial term.
Newlands was further remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 22.
Drugs came from “a hole in the wall”
A DRUG user’s explanation for being in possession of cannabis resin didn’t cut any ice with the sheriff.
Accused Andrew Harper (18) said he found it in a hole in a hole in a brick wall.
Sheriff Berry told commented that the accused’s past-time of looking into walls in the hope of finding cannabis resin, as “very unusual” and “fantastic” and compared it to the script of a comedy sketch.
Harper, who appeared from custody, admitted possessing the Class B drug at his home in Girnigoe Street, Wick on December 4.
He was order to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Dog worrying alleged
A Caithness community councillor is alleged to being the owner of an Alsatian which attacked another dog.
Former Wick Harbour Trust chairman had his case continued, when he made a second appearance. Senior fiscal depute, Mr Barclay said he wished to consider representations made to him which had raised certain legal points and he hoped to have matters concluded matter by Friday.
The charge, which Oag denies, alleges that his Alsation was dangerously out of control and attacked and killed another dog at the accused home at Corbigoe, Sarclet, on March 28.
Spat at policeman
A HALKIRK teenager who spat at a police officer has had his order to carry out two years unpaid community work.
Peter O’ Hare of Swanlea, Halkirk, admitted assaulting Sergeant Nick Clasper, at Thurso police office, on September 3 and also breached a probation order.
Sheriff Berry said that the fact the accused didn’t remember the spitting incident made matters even more serious.
The sheriff also imposed a short term, six weeks order to allow, O’ Hare (18) to demonstrate he could behave himself.
Bottle accused jailed
A 27-year old man who intervened in a disagreement between two women and ended up hitting one of them with a bottle, was jailed for seven months.
He was Douglas Wilkie of Macrae Street, Wick, who admitted a charge of assault and several previous convictions.
It was stated that the incident occurred at a house in Glamis Road, Wick, on the afternoon of June 25.
The victim, Leanna Gunn was having the disagreement with another woman and when Wilkie intervened he struck Ms Gunn twice on the head with a bottle he had been drinking out of, and then punched and kicked her. She required stitches at the local hospital but, despite being advised to remain overnight for observation, discharged herself.
Solicitor John McRitchie said that the reason that Wilkie had intervened was because Ms Gunn and the other woman, the accused’s partner, had been involved in a brawl outside the house.
Wilkie was concerned for his partner as she had recently given birth to their child.
Sheriff Berry said that words failed virtually failed him about an assault on a female, he described as “disgraceful” and added that Wilkie had “an awful record”.
Offered to pay fine at 10p a week
A Wick man who breached a curfew order was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid community service.
Sheriff Berry said that Angus Cormack (24) of Main Street, Lybster, who has several previous convictions, appeared to want to cause everyone difficulty when he offends and added that the accused had told social workers that he would pay an outstanding fine at the rate of 10p a month.
The sheriff added that it appeared that Cormack wanted to be either funny or sarcastic.
The rate was increased to £10 at today’s court. Cormack’s agent admitted to the court that he found difficulty in finding anything to say to the court, by way of mitigation.
Cormack admitted failing to comply with a 7pm-7am curfew restriction by not being available when police checked his house on November 25.
A WICK man didn’t take kindly to being asked to leave a party at a house in the town and he returned, shortly afterwards- carrying a knife.
When asked, initially, to hand it over, Hugh Newlands replied: “I’m going to have you”.
The dramatic incident was described at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday (Monday) after Newlands admitted charges of threatening behaviour and assault, on indictment. Sheriff Andrew Berry heard that Newlands (23) did part with the knife but then went on to attack his former girlfriend, outside the house.
The court was told that Newlands and four other people were enjoying drinks in the house in Henrietta Street, Wick on October 31, in what senior fiscal depute, David Barclay described as a friendly atmosphere, initially.
However, Newlands became “boisterous” and was asked to leave. He complied with the request but returned 20 to 30 minutes later with the knife, threatening that he was going to harm those present.
Mr Barclay said that it was an empty threat, for shortly afterwards, he handed over the knife outside the house, to one of the female visitors who put it away safely. Everyone went back into the house and suddenly Newlands lashed out at Leanna Gunn, punching her repeatedly on her head, causing her to fall. Her nose as swollen and bleeding and she had two swollen lips and a bump on her forehead, but did not require medical treatment.
The incident was reported to the police and the accused, who had left the house, was detained.
Solicitor Neil Wilson said that Newlands’ recollection of events was “somewhat hazy”. He had been drinking at the house in question which the solicitor described as “a drinking den” and had also taken some diazepam tablets.
Mr Wilson said that Newlands had numerous convictions and fully anticipated a prison sentence but it was to be hoped that he would use his time in custody to “reflect on his behaviour and his future”.
Sheriff Berry deferred sentence pending background reports commenting that he would have to consider whether or not the public would be liable to serious harm from Newlands if the court incorporated a supervised early release into the custodial term.
Newlands was further remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 22.
Drugs came from “a hole in the wall”
A DRUG user’s explanation for being in possession of cannabis resin didn’t cut any ice with the sheriff.
Accused Andrew Harper (18) said he found it in a hole in a hole in a brick wall.
Sheriff Berry told commented that the accused’s past-time of looking into walls in the hope of finding cannabis resin, as “very unusual” and “fantastic” and compared it to the script of a comedy sketch.
Harper, who appeared from custody, admitted possessing the Class B drug at his home in Girnigoe Street, Wick on December 4.
He was order to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Dog worrying alleged
A Caithness community councillor is alleged to being the owner of an Alsatian which attacked another dog.
Former Wick Harbour Trust chairman had his case continued, when he made a second appearance. Senior fiscal depute, Mr Barclay said he wished to consider representations made to him which had raised certain legal points and he hoped to have matters concluded matter by Friday.
The charge, which Oag denies, alleges that his Alsation was dangerously out of control and attacked and killed another dog at the accused home at Corbigoe, Sarclet, on March 28.
Spat at policeman
A HALKIRK teenager who spat at a police officer has had his order to carry out two years unpaid community work.
Peter O’ Hare of Swanlea, Halkirk, admitted assaulting Sergeant Nick Clasper, at Thurso police office, on September 3 and also breached a probation order.
Sheriff Berry said that the fact the accused didn’t remember the spitting incident made matters even more serious.
The sheriff also imposed a short term, six weeks order to allow, O’ Hare (18) to demonstrate he could behave himself.
Bottle accused jailed
A 27-year old man who intervened in a disagreement between two women and ended up hitting one of them with a bottle, was jailed for seven months.
He was Douglas Wilkie of Macrae Street, Wick, who admitted a charge of assault and several previous convictions.
It was stated that the incident occurred at a house in Glamis Road, Wick, on the afternoon of June 25.
The victim, Leanna Gunn was having the disagreement with another woman and when Wilkie intervened he struck Ms Gunn twice on the head with a bottle he had been drinking out of, and then punched and kicked her. She required stitches at the local hospital but, despite being advised to remain overnight for observation, discharged herself.
Solicitor John McRitchie said that the reason that Wilkie had intervened was because Ms Gunn and the other woman, the accused’s partner, had been involved in a brawl outside the house.
Wilkie was concerned for his partner as she had recently given birth to their child.
Sheriff Berry said that words failed virtually failed him about an assault on a female, he described as “disgraceful” and added that Wilkie had “an awful record”.
Offered to pay fine at 10p a week
A Wick man who breached a curfew order was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid community service.
Sheriff Berry said that Angus Cormack (24) of Main Street, Lybster, who has several previous convictions, appeared to want to cause everyone difficulty when he offends and added that the accused had told social workers that he would pay an outstanding fine at the rate of 10p a month.
The sheriff added that it appeared that Cormack wanted to be either funny or sarcastic.
The rate was increased to £10 at today’s court. Cormack’s agent admitted to the court that he found difficulty in finding anything to say to the court, by way of mitigation.
Cormack admitted failing to comply with a 7pm-7am curfew restriction by not being available when police checked his house on November 25.