Bail conditions spelled out

Might be boring but necessary sheriff tells another bail breacher

A SHERIFF reckoned he must be “one of the most boring people in the county” because he is continually at pains to explain the conditions of bail to accused persons.
He told the latest person to breach such an order: “People who regularly appear here must be fed up listening to me over and over again. But the reason I spell out the conditions, is that no-one can come back and say they didn’t understand them.”
In the dock appearing from custody was Tracy Miller, of Rowena, John O’ Groats, who admitted breach a bail order imposed previously, at Wick Sheriff Court.
The condition not to attempt to contact her husband was imposed, when she appeared from custody earlier this month, and denied throwing a log at her husband's car, at Millbank, John O’Groats, or alternatively damaging it with the piece of wood, on September 19. She pleaded not guilty and her trial was fixed for January 6.
However, Miller,33, was re-arrested on Friday and appeared from custody yesterday. The court was told that she telephoned the Seaview Hotel at John O’ Groats, asking to speak to her estranged husband. Mr Miller didn't take the call as he was aware of his wife's bail condition and the matter was reported to the police.
Solicitor Fiona MacDonald explained that his client had not appreciated being in breach of her condition as she had not spoken to her husband.
Admonishing her, Sheriff Berry, who, was told that Miller has spent three nights behind bars, said he would treat the breach on a one-off basis but warned her that if there should be a recurrence he would be duty bound to remand her.