More cases from yesterday's sheriff court session

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Community centre break-in “a truly miserable crime”


A SHERIFF has rebuked a Bower man who broke into his local community centre and stole cash and a several miscellaneous items.
Sheriff Andrew Berry described David Crouden’s actions as “a truly miserable crime”.
Crouden (25) admitted the thefts when he appeared at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday.
The court was told that he gained entry to the Bower Community Centre via a fire exit, on January 31. His haul of included alcohol and soft drinks, a CD player, tumblers, a fire extinguisher, kitchen roll and some cash.
Senior fiscal depute, David Barclay, said that Crouden, of Thura Place, Bower, was spotted at the hall before and after the break-in. The proceeds from it were recovered from plastic bags in a ditch, nearby. When seen by the police, the accused admitted his guilt and told officers he had taken a lot of valium, prior to embarking on the offences and his recollections of them, were “a bit hazy”.
Sheriff Berry deplored Crouden’s actions against the community centre and the theft of property that the hall committee had worked hard for.
The sheriff, who saw background reports, observed that Crouden had “outstanding issues” to be resolved, involving the use of drink and drugs, and added: “I am satisfied that I am just able to deal with this by imposing community service as a direct alternative to prison.”
Crouden was ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid community service.

Breached bail

Johnny Gardner was ‘out’ when he should have been ‘in’, as he was subject to a curfew imposed by the court.
Gardner (19) admitted breaching a bail order condition which required him to observe a 7pm-7am curfew, imposed on April 12 and be available to answer the door of his home in Owen Place, Wick, to police making a periodic check, on the 29th of the same month.
The accused maintained he was at home and did not hear officers knocking. Sheriff Berry indicated that on the basis of such claims, officers at the police training school at Tulliallan would require to include knocking on doors in their curriculum.
The sheriff said he preferred to believe that Gardner had not been at home and sentenced him to four months at a young offenders institution.