Cases from yesterday's sheriff court session

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Jailed- accused who sat on partner and attacked her months later

A WICK man failed to comply with an order to stay away from the partner he sat on inflicting fractures and attacked her at a local night club a few months later.
During the initial incident, Gary Thomson, who weighed 16 stones at the time, broke two bones in Carol-Anne Fraser’s leg.
The court heard yesterday, that the latest incident occurred at the Waterfront nightclub, on December 29 after he attempted to discuss their relationship.
Thomson, 41, of 13 Shillinghill, Wick, admitted two charges of assault and a breach of community service, and was jailed for six months.
It was stated that Thomson had encountered Miss Fraser at the Waterfront nightclub in Wick.
David Barclay, prosecuting, told the court: “The accused wanted to talk about their relationship, but Miss Fraser didn’t. Thomson reacted by grabbing hold of her clothing around the neck and pushing her against the wall.” A friend of Miss Fraser intervened but was subjected to similar treatment.
Wick Sheriff Court heard about the earlier attack when Thomson admitted culpable and reckless conduct, on indictment, last October and was ordered to carry out 75 hours unpaid work in the community. A non-harassment order, banning the accused from seeing Miss Fraser was also imposed.
The court was told then that the couple had had a tiff earlier in the day, June 24, which resulted in the accused sleeping upstairs, in their home in Glamis Road, Wick, and his partner downstairs on a settee in the living room. In the morning Thomson came downstairs approached Miss Fraser who was aspleep on the settee. The accused approached and sat down on her left leg. Miss Fraser woke up screaming and “clearly in a great deal of pain”.
She was found to have a fracture to her upper tibia and fibula.
Solicitor Neil Wilson told the court yesterday, that with a prison sentence inevitable, Thomson could only throw himself at the mercy of the court with a plea to mitigate the term. The accused had 20 hours unpaid work left to complete and had undergone anger management therapy.
Sheriff Berry told Mr Wilson: “The community service was imposed in respect of a case in which the victim’s leg was broken because your client sat on her and I would be perfectly entitled to discharge the community service order and impose a long prison sentence.”
The sheriff added: “It seems to me, looking at the bigger picture that what is of considerable importance is that Miss Fraser receives such protection as the court can offer.”
The existing community service order was revoked and a new one substituted, putting Thomson under supervision for three years during which he must take part in any domestic violence or anger management therapy required.
In addition, Thomson will have to carry out a fresh period of unpaid community work of 200 hours.
Sheriff Berry commented: “I was seriously tempted to impose a considerable prison sentence but the community service order does mean that Miss Fraser will be protected. If you come back to court, however , a custodial sentence will be almost inevitable.”
Thomson had his prison sentence backdated to December 31 when he was detained. He is banned from the nightclub for two years.

Accused was walking around with 25 valium tabs

A PLANT operator was caught with 25 valium tablets.
The accused Scott Wares, 24, admitted possession and a record, at Wick Sheriff Court. He was searched by police at The Shore, Wick, on November 17 and told them that the Class C drugs were for his own personal use.
Sheriff Berry commented on the fact that the accused had been going about with a large on quantity of tablets in his pocket could be a matter of concern and asked a social worker to investigate.
She reported that Wares had used drugs in the past but there were no underlying problems now.
Wares, of 32 Norcote Street, Wick, described as “a hardworking young man” will be sentenced on Thursday.

Seeing his ex sparked threat

Cameron Gibson couldn't bear to see his ex-girlfriend with the new man in her life.
He shouted at Sarah O' Hare and Aaron Wilson, during a chance meeting in the Wick branch of Tesco on January 6, and threatened him with violence. They bumped into each other, again, outside in the car park where Gibson, 19, again shouted at Mr Wilson.
Referring to the earlier incident, Mr Barclay prosecuting,said that Gibson had made "some unpleasant coments" in the supermarket and threatened that Mr Wilson would "get his face smashed in" unless he kept away from Miss O' Hare.
Mr Barclay added: "It seems that Gibson was unable to hold his tongue when he saw his ex-girlfriend with her new partner."
Solicitor Mr Wilson commented: "The accused accepts he should have turned on his heel and walked away but he didn't do that."
Gibson, of 10 Bexley Terrace, Wick, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour and a breach of bail and a previous record, when he appeared from custody. He also breached a bail condition, imposed previously, ordering him to keep away from Miss O'Hare.
Sheriff Berry further remanded Gibson until February 8 when he will see a report, commenting: "There is no reason to think that the court would have confidence in you complying with a bail condition."











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