Partner was locked up

Accused put her in shipping container in the garden


A MAN locked his partner inside a shipping container in the garden at her home after he fell out with her, a sheriff heard today.

Russell Stevenson, 57, was given a chance to behave, at Wick Sheriff Court which heard that the partner, Jeanna Larsen felt there could be a funny side to the incident.

Stevenson, of 11 Lundavra Road, Ft William, previously admitted an indictment, significantly reduced to a charge of conducting himself in a disorderly manner, securing Ms Larsen in a shipping container and committing a breach of the peace.

The incident occurred at her home at Brochroy, Dunbeath village, between June 1 and the 30th, 2014..

When Stevenson appeared for sentence today, solicitor, Fiona MacDonald, said that despite the greatly reduced indictment, her client was concerned he might be facing a prison sentence..

Sheriff Andrew Berry, who saw a background report, which mentioned that Ms Larsen took the view that the incident might be regarded in hindsight, as "comical", commented: "I am not going to describe it as that."

However, the sheriff said that he had been given some reassurance that there would be no repeat of the accused's behaviour and told him: "Many people come into this court thinking it is a laugh and a joke but you are not in that category."

Sheriff Berry expressed the hope that the relationship would continue.and removed a bail condition banning Stevenson from Ms Larsen's home at Brochroy. Stevenson was given six months in which to demonstrate he can behave himself.