Nwicker60
08-Jan-14, 21:11
High speed contributes to "misery and mayhem" sheriff tells 82 mph driver
A SHERIFF has highlighted the potentially serious consequences of driving at high speed.
Sheriff Andrew Berry made his observation after businessman Douglas Ross admitted travelling at 82mph in a 50mph van limit at the village of Forss.
Ross, 53, who runs a painting business, was on his way from Dounreay to another contract, on October 22, Wick Sheriff Court was told yesterday. It was stated that his mind was on the job and he had had “a momentary lapse of concentration”.
Sheriff Berry said that Ross’s speed was well in excess of the limit and told him: “We all know that driving at high speed can contribute to all sorts of misery and mayhem.”
Ross, of Achreregan, Shebster, by Thurso, was fined £260 and incurred four penalty points.
Another Caithness driver was clocked at a speed of 109mph in a 60mph limit on the main A99.
James Sutherland, 31, of 2 Keepers Cottages, Dunnet Head Lighthouse, admitted dangerous driving and a record when he appeared at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday. The offence occurred at the village of Keiss, on September 25.
Sentence was deferred until Friday for production of Sutherland’s driving licence. He is subject to an interim driving ban meantime.
Fined for bad behaviour in nightclub
A THURSO man was fined £300 for behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards a dental nurse at a Christmas dance in the town’s Skinandi’s nightclub.
James Brims, 39, had denied the charge, on indictment, but was found guilty by a jury, last month.
The trial was told that seized hold of ex-girlfriend Anita Macleod’s wrist and refused to let go after he coerced her into dancing with, on December 23, 2012. Their year-long relationship had ended earlier that year, in July.
Sentencing the marine engineer yesterday, Sheriff Berry also imposed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting or seeing Mrs Macleod, for a year.
Brims, of 6 Howburn Road, Thurso, was found not guilty of stalking Mrs Macleod and the jury’s verdict on a further charge of assaulting another patron at the dance, was one of not proven. He denied both counts.
Smashed mirror after argument
Kevin Campbell took his temper out on a mirror and bath panel in his home.
The 24-year-old damaged both in the incident, on June 8, which happened after an argument with his partner.
Campbell, 24, of 21 Stewart Crescent, Thrumster, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour, there.
Sheriff Berry deferred sentence for six months to allow the accused, said to have been under the influence of drink at the time, to demonstrate he can behave.
Jail if you persist in offending
THE SHERIFF warned a recurring offender yesterday that he would almost certainly face a jail sentence if he stepped out of line again.
Sheriff Berry told Jamie Bremner, 25, who admitted disorderly conduct: “You are an example of a person who persistently offends even in respect of matters which are not in themselves very serious.”
The apprentice motor mechanic was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work in the community by the sheriff who added: “The only person who can mess this up is yourself and if you do, I will have no hesitation in sending you to prison and it will be entirely your own fault.”
Bremner, of 3 Shillinghill, Wick, admitted a breach of the peace in Murchison Street, Wick, on August 11, and a record when he appeared at the town’s sheriff court. He struggled with a police officer and was said to have been “very much under the influence of drink” at the time!
Drove while under influence of drugs
POLICE breathalysed Melanie Munro but the result was negative.
Officer reckoned she was "clearly on something" and a police doctor examined her and decided her fitness to drive was impaired.
Munro, 28, admitted driving while under the influence of drugs, in MacLeay Street, Wick, on September 17.
The court was told that she was trying to deal with several personal issues at the time and had been taking medication, to excess. The accused was said to be liaising with a social worker to try to address her problems.
Sentence was deferred on Munro, of 39 Leith Walk, Wick, until February 7 for a background report.
A SHERIFF has highlighted the potentially serious consequences of driving at high speed.
Sheriff Andrew Berry made his observation after businessman Douglas Ross admitted travelling at 82mph in a 50mph van limit at the village of Forss.
Ross, 53, who runs a painting business, was on his way from Dounreay to another contract, on October 22, Wick Sheriff Court was told yesterday. It was stated that his mind was on the job and he had had “a momentary lapse of concentration”.
Sheriff Berry said that Ross’s speed was well in excess of the limit and told him: “We all know that driving at high speed can contribute to all sorts of misery and mayhem.”
Ross, of Achreregan, Shebster, by Thurso, was fined £260 and incurred four penalty points.
Another Caithness driver was clocked at a speed of 109mph in a 60mph limit on the main A99.
James Sutherland, 31, of 2 Keepers Cottages, Dunnet Head Lighthouse, admitted dangerous driving and a record when he appeared at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday. The offence occurred at the village of Keiss, on September 25.
Sentence was deferred until Friday for production of Sutherland’s driving licence. He is subject to an interim driving ban meantime.
Fined for bad behaviour in nightclub
A THURSO man was fined £300 for behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards a dental nurse at a Christmas dance in the town’s Skinandi’s nightclub.
James Brims, 39, had denied the charge, on indictment, but was found guilty by a jury, last month.
The trial was told that seized hold of ex-girlfriend Anita Macleod’s wrist and refused to let go after he coerced her into dancing with, on December 23, 2012. Their year-long relationship had ended earlier that year, in July.
Sentencing the marine engineer yesterday, Sheriff Berry also imposed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting or seeing Mrs Macleod, for a year.
Brims, of 6 Howburn Road, Thurso, was found not guilty of stalking Mrs Macleod and the jury’s verdict on a further charge of assaulting another patron at the dance, was one of not proven. He denied both counts.
Smashed mirror after argument
Kevin Campbell took his temper out on a mirror and bath panel in his home.
The 24-year-old damaged both in the incident, on June 8, which happened after an argument with his partner.
Campbell, 24, of 21 Stewart Crescent, Thrumster, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour, there.
Sheriff Berry deferred sentence for six months to allow the accused, said to have been under the influence of drink at the time, to demonstrate he can behave.
Jail if you persist in offending
THE SHERIFF warned a recurring offender yesterday that he would almost certainly face a jail sentence if he stepped out of line again.
Sheriff Berry told Jamie Bremner, 25, who admitted disorderly conduct: “You are an example of a person who persistently offends even in respect of matters which are not in themselves very serious.”
The apprentice motor mechanic was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work in the community by the sheriff who added: “The only person who can mess this up is yourself and if you do, I will have no hesitation in sending you to prison and it will be entirely your own fault.”
Bremner, of 3 Shillinghill, Wick, admitted a breach of the peace in Murchison Street, Wick, on August 11, and a record when he appeared at the town’s sheriff court. He struggled with a police officer and was said to have been “very much under the influence of drink” at the time!
Drove while under influence of drugs
POLICE breathalysed Melanie Munro but the result was negative.
Officer reckoned she was "clearly on something" and a police doctor examined her and decided her fitness to drive was impaired.
Munro, 28, admitted driving while under the influence of drugs, in MacLeay Street, Wick, on September 17.
The court was told that she was trying to deal with several personal issues at the time and had been taking medication, to excess. The accused was said to be liaising with a social worker to try to address her problems.
Sentence was deferred on Munro, of 39 Leith Walk, Wick, until February 7 for a background report.