Nwicker60
06-Jan-15, 14:03
Offend again and you could face a longer sentence sheriff tells accused
A KIRKWALL man has been jailed for 135 days at Wick after he admitted charges of assault and threatening behaviour.
James Harvey Matches accosted his former partner, Natalie Cormack, in Watson Close, Kirkwall, on October 29 when he seized her by the hair and forced her to the ground and less than a month later, subjected her to verbal abuse on Scapa Beach.
David Barclay, prosecuting, said that although he had not been involved in Matches' original appearance at Kirkwall Sheriff Court, before Sheriff Andrew Berry, on December 17, he noted that a motion had been made for a non-harrassment order and invited the sheriff to consider it.
Solicitor Fiona MacDonald for the accused, said that Matches, who appeared from custody, yesterday, had been trying to address his difficulties involving the break-up of his relationship and his drinking and drug-taking.
She said that he was endeavouring to get a job and added: "He recognises that being in employment is better than being on state benefit."
Miss MacDonald appealed to Sheriff Berry to "take a step back from a prison sentence" and consider unpaid work as an alternative.
However, the sheriff said that the problem was that the accused's record, although spread out over a number of years, contained repeat offences including two domestic assaults and disorderly behaviour. A prison term was the only appropriate sentence in order to "bring home to Matches the gravity of his actions",. The motion for a three-year, non- harrassment order, banning him from approaching or contacting Ms Cormack, was granted by Sheriff Berry
He warned the 29-year-old, of 6 Ronaldsvoe, Kirkwall, that if he was to re-offend, he could find himself charged at the higher level of solemn procedure, which can attract a jail sentence of several years.
A KIRKWALL man has been jailed for 135 days at Wick after he admitted charges of assault and threatening behaviour.
James Harvey Matches accosted his former partner, Natalie Cormack, in Watson Close, Kirkwall, on October 29 when he seized her by the hair and forced her to the ground and less than a month later, subjected her to verbal abuse on Scapa Beach.
David Barclay, prosecuting, said that although he had not been involved in Matches' original appearance at Kirkwall Sheriff Court, before Sheriff Andrew Berry, on December 17, he noted that a motion had been made for a non-harrassment order and invited the sheriff to consider it.
Solicitor Fiona MacDonald for the accused, said that Matches, who appeared from custody, yesterday, had been trying to address his difficulties involving the break-up of his relationship and his drinking and drug-taking.
She said that he was endeavouring to get a job and added: "He recognises that being in employment is better than being on state benefit."
Miss MacDonald appealed to Sheriff Berry to "take a step back from a prison sentence" and consider unpaid work as an alternative.
However, the sheriff said that the problem was that the accused's record, although spread out over a number of years, contained repeat offences including two domestic assaults and disorderly behaviour. A prison term was the only appropriate sentence in order to "bring home to Matches the gravity of his actions",. The motion for a three-year, non- harrassment order, banning him from approaching or contacting Ms Cormack, was granted by Sheriff Berry
He warned the 29-year-old, of 6 Ronaldsvoe, Kirkwall, that if he was to re-offend, he could find himself charged at the higher level of solemn procedure, which can attract a jail sentence of several years.