Nwicker60
19-Dec-11, 17:07
Desperate for a smoke in Raigmore Hospital's patient accommodation unit so he disconnected smoke dectector court Wick sheriff is told today
A SHERIFF said he was “horrified” to contemplate what the potential consequences could have been from the actions of a man who disconnected a smoke alarm in a hospital's patient accommodation wing... in order to have a smoke.
It happened while Alan Gray’s partner was in the neighbouring maternity unit to have their second child, at Raigmore’s patient lodge, on September 23, Wick Sheriff Court heard today.
Senior fiscal depute, David Barclay said that when interviewed by the police, Gray, of Huddart Street, Wick, appeared to be more concerned about the benefit of the fag, than the interference with the smoke detector.
Gray’s agent, Neil Wilson described the incident as “gross stupidity” rather than a “malicious” act.
He added: “The accused could have simply walked through the front door and joined the other smokers at the entrance. I suspect it was a case of laziness.”
Sheriff Andrew Berry said he would have been “entirely justified” in sending Gray to prison and had given that serious consideration. However, the sheriff said he took into account the fact that Gray had completed 150 hours under a probation order imposed previously and had family responsibilities.
Gray (46) who admitted disconnecting and damaging the fire alarm, and several previous convictions, was ordered to carry out 240 hours of work in the community. He also was instructed to pay £53 compensation for a replacement smoke alarm.
Took and drove bus away...again
THE court heard of Martin Budge’s brief bus trip....he was driving the vehicle and didn’t have permission, or a licence and insurance.
However, the 17-year-old escaped a custodial sentence and was ordered to carry out 160 hours under a community payback order.
It was stated that the accused removed the bus from the depot in Thurso in the early hours of November 20. The vehicle was not secure and the keys were in the ignition. The bus came to the attention of the police as it was blocking the road in the town’s Janet Street and had damaged a wall.
Senior fiscal depute, Mr Barclay said that when traced, Budge of Dunnet Road, Thurso, said he had only a vague recollection of the incident.
The accused’s solicitor, Mr Wilson, said that the incident had been a carbon copy of Budge’s previous conviction.
The accused had been looking for somewhere warm and “temptation got the better of him”. The bus had only been driven a short distance.
A measure of “how muddled” Budge had been was that he had taken a photo of the scene on his way home, added Mr Wilson.
Sheriff Berry said he regarded the episode as “an extremely serious matter”. The sheriff, who saw reports, said he had been thinking about a detention sentence but was duty bound to consider an alternative, and decided to refrain from imposing a custodial disposal.
Budge, who admitted taking and driving away the bus, and without a licence and insurance was ordered to carry out 160 hours under a community payback scheme. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
Fined for breach
A WICK man was fined £500 for breaching an unpaid community work order.
Scott Wares (23) of Northcote Street, Wick, was said by the sheriff to have not carried out “one minute” of the order imposed earlier this year, when the accused admitted driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and resisting arrest. The offence occurred on September 3, between Hempriggs and Wick.
The community service order will be reviewed in a month’s time when Sheriff Berry expects to receive “a glowing report” on the accused’s progress.
Jailed for driving while disqualified
A man will spend Christmas behind bars after admitting his third conviction for driving while disqualified.
Stephen Cosworth, of Dixonfield House, Thurso, pleaded guilty and admitted the previous convictions.
The offence, on December 16, came to light after police came upon a car which had broken down near Haster and found that the driver was the accused.
Sheriff Berry said that Cosworth (38) had “a truly appalling record” and commented that previous disqualification appeared to “have made little difference” to the accused.
In addition to the jail term, Cosworth (38) was banned from driving for 10 years.
A SHERIFF said he was “horrified” to contemplate what the potential consequences could have been from the actions of a man who disconnected a smoke alarm in a hospital's patient accommodation wing... in order to have a smoke.
It happened while Alan Gray’s partner was in the neighbouring maternity unit to have their second child, at Raigmore’s patient lodge, on September 23, Wick Sheriff Court heard today.
Senior fiscal depute, David Barclay said that when interviewed by the police, Gray, of Huddart Street, Wick, appeared to be more concerned about the benefit of the fag, than the interference with the smoke detector.
Gray’s agent, Neil Wilson described the incident as “gross stupidity” rather than a “malicious” act.
He added: “The accused could have simply walked through the front door and joined the other smokers at the entrance. I suspect it was a case of laziness.”
Sheriff Andrew Berry said he would have been “entirely justified” in sending Gray to prison and had given that serious consideration. However, the sheriff said he took into account the fact that Gray had completed 150 hours under a probation order imposed previously and had family responsibilities.
Gray (46) who admitted disconnecting and damaging the fire alarm, and several previous convictions, was ordered to carry out 240 hours of work in the community. He also was instructed to pay £53 compensation for a replacement smoke alarm.
Took and drove bus away...again
THE court heard of Martin Budge’s brief bus trip....he was driving the vehicle and didn’t have permission, or a licence and insurance.
However, the 17-year-old escaped a custodial sentence and was ordered to carry out 160 hours under a community payback order.
It was stated that the accused removed the bus from the depot in Thurso in the early hours of November 20. The vehicle was not secure and the keys were in the ignition. The bus came to the attention of the police as it was blocking the road in the town’s Janet Street and had damaged a wall.
Senior fiscal depute, Mr Barclay said that when traced, Budge of Dunnet Road, Thurso, said he had only a vague recollection of the incident.
The accused’s solicitor, Mr Wilson, said that the incident had been a carbon copy of Budge’s previous conviction.
The accused had been looking for somewhere warm and “temptation got the better of him”. The bus had only been driven a short distance.
A measure of “how muddled” Budge had been was that he had taken a photo of the scene on his way home, added Mr Wilson.
Sheriff Berry said he regarded the episode as “an extremely serious matter”. The sheriff, who saw reports, said he had been thinking about a detention sentence but was duty bound to consider an alternative, and decided to refrain from imposing a custodial disposal.
Budge, who admitted taking and driving away the bus, and without a licence and insurance was ordered to carry out 160 hours under a community payback scheme. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
Fined for breach
A WICK man was fined £500 for breaching an unpaid community work order.
Scott Wares (23) of Northcote Street, Wick, was said by the sheriff to have not carried out “one minute” of the order imposed earlier this year, when the accused admitted driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and resisting arrest. The offence occurred on September 3, between Hempriggs and Wick.
The community service order will be reviewed in a month’s time when Sheriff Berry expects to receive “a glowing report” on the accused’s progress.
Jailed for driving while disqualified
A man will spend Christmas behind bars after admitting his third conviction for driving while disqualified.
Stephen Cosworth, of Dixonfield House, Thurso, pleaded guilty and admitted the previous convictions.
The offence, on December 16, came to light after police came upon a car which had broken down near Haster and found that the driver was the accused.
Sheriff Berry said that Cosworth (38) had “a truly appalling record” and commented that previous disqualification appeared to “have made little difference” to the accused.
In addition to the jail term, Cosworth (38) was banned from driving for 10 years.