Additional cases from yesterday's court session

Assistant was frightened by accused’s behaviour.

Mark Macleod, who shouted and swore at a fish and chip shop assistant, has been given six months to demonstrate he can behave.
Macleod caught sight of the assistant and a colleague locking up at Robin’s in Princes Street, Thurso, as he was passing in an intoxicated state. The abuse related to someone the assistant knew, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Macleod, of St Peter’s Road, Thurso, ignored pleas by the assistants to leave them alone. He banged on the door of the premises before leaving in a taxi added David Barclay, prosecuting.
Solicitor Sylvia MacLennan said that Macleod, 29, wanted to apologise to the assistant - he knew her from visits to the chip shop - for trouble he had caused on a previous occasion.
Macleod was "ashamed and embarrassed" by his behaviour. A background report highlighted alcohol as the trigger for his offending.

Struck nine-year-old with belt

A MAN reprimanded his nephew with a belt, the court was told.
The accused, admitted an assault and the sheriff called for a background report.
It was stated that the nine-year-old resented being told to stop playing computer games, on July 31 and take advantage of the fine weather, outside.
The uncle, was engaged in punching an additional hole in his trouser belt and after words were exchanged lashed the lad once with the it across his left leg in what was described as a “spur of the moment” act.
The boy had subsequently stated to police that he didn’t want to get his uncle into trouble and was missing him.
Solicitor Sylvia MacLennan said that the accused was a role model for the youngster and he felt he had let himself (the accused) and the boy down. There were no underlying issues between the two.
Sheriff Berry said that as the social work department had been involved in the case, he would require a background report.
The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will return to court on October 30, for sentence.

Further community service for abusive teenager

A THURSO teenager had an additional spell of unpaid work added to the current term he is carrying out, after admitted threatening or abusive behaviour, while on bail.
Paul Cannop, of 21 Holborn Avenue, Thurso, made an offensive remark to a 78-year-old man sitting in his car in the town’s Albyn Court, on August 27.
It was stated that the 19-year-old was endeavouring to get his life back on track and was hoping to secure a college course in construction. He was said to be “ashamed and embarrassed” about his conduct.
Sheriff Berry sad that the accused’s behaviour towards an elderly man was “far from appropriate” and imposed a further spell of 100 hours of community service after he finished his current 75 hours allocation.