Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Paying too much for broadband? Move to PlusNet broadband and save£££s. Free setup now available - terms apply. PlusNet broadband.  
Results 1 to 1 of 1

Thread: A day of dramas at the sheriff court

Threaded View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Wick
    Posts
    3,518

    Default A day of dramas at the sheriff court

    Accused delivers astonishing verbal attack after remand

    THERE was double drama at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday when paramedics were called after the father of an accused became ill and shortly afterwards a man unleashed a parting tirade of abuse as he was being accompanied from the dock by Reliance officers.
    Drama No 1 occurred as Sheriff Andrew Berry came onto the bench for the court’s afternoon session.
    A 70-year-old man appeared to keel over in the public benches. Police and court staff rushed to assist him and he appeared to recover.
    However, as the sheriff returned to the bench, the pensioner took another turn – he is believed to suffer from angina—and court business was again suspended, as police radioed for an ambulance.
    Paramedics attended and after assessing the man’s situation assisted him from the courtroom and then to Caithness General Hospital for a check-up.
    Drama No 2 occurred after the court resumed and John Munro (20) appeared from custody. He denied charges of assault and threatening or abusive behaviour.
    Sheriff Berry had earlier adjourned the case to consider the question of bail. He stated reasons why he was remanding Munro in custody.
    Suddenly, the accused turned as he was being escorted from the dock and delivered a string of foul language in which he referred to the court as scum, a---holes and told them to f--- off and where to shove their court.
    After Munro, of Kirkhill, Wick left the dock, Sheriff Berry advised the accused’s solicitor, Neil Wilson, that he was considering whether Munro was in contempt, because of his outburst.
    Mr Wilson suggested a period of calm to allow the accused to “reflect on matters”.
    Munro was recalled from the cells, at the end of court business. Mr Wilson said he had endeavoured to explain to Munro about the way he had expressed his views and went on:”I think he realises that he behaved in an inappropriate way and tenders his apologies.”
    Sheriff Berry told Munro that he was responsible for ensuring that the court was conducted in as calm an atmosphere as possible and continued: “It is not appropriate for you to become abusive and raise your voice and use inappropriate language. Do you understand?”
    Munro: “Yes”.
    Sheriff Berry: “You are entitled to disagree with my decision but not to do as you did, a short time ago. I want you to keep that very much in mind in future appearances—understand?.
    The sheriff indicated that he was not going to hold Munro in contempt and added that the matter was now at an end.
    Munro will reappear on January 30. The charges he is facing alleges that while acting with another, he assaulted Scott Durrand, in Ackergill Crescent, Wick, and repeatedly punched and kicked him on the head to his injury and on the same day, behaved in a threatening or abusive manner and challenged Michael Duffy to fight, in Willowank, while holding a small penknife.

    Pub torch threat alleged

    TWO Thurso men have been accused of threatening to petrol bomb a local pub.
    Thirty-year-old Peter McGrory, from Falconer Waters Court, and Mark McLeod, who is 28 and lives in Pennyland Drive, denied the allegation when they appeared from custody.
    The pair have also pleaded not guilty to abusive or disorderly behaviour and refusing to leave the Commercial Bar when requested to do so by barman Asa Sinclair. McGrory pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of threatening Scott Youngson’s partner.
    Bail was refused and both men were remanded in custody pending a further appearance on February 16.
    Last edited by Nwicker60; 17-Jan-12 at 09:27.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •