Accused to be assessed for substance-testing programme
A MAN said to have been in and out of jail in the past twenty years was given a chance to get his life back on track, yesterday.
Kai Thorsted,40, is to be assessed for a substance-testing programme for his two main problems, drug and alcohol abuse. He previously admitted two charges of threatening or abusive behaviour, at Wick Sheriff Court.
Thorsted, a six-footer, of 6 Battery Road, Wick, shouted and swore at two women in the driveway of a house in the town’s Cairndhuna Terrace, on February 4 and threatened one of them. He also became abusive at Wick police station, later.
The court heard that, according to a background report, Thorsted now recognised the difficulties he was facing regarding his abuse of drink and drugs.
Replaying to solicitor Fiona MacDonald, who requested a continuation to allow the accused to ascertain his suitability for drug testing, Sheriff Andrew Berry commented: “The conclusion in the report is that this is worthy of consideration and might help him break the pattern of his offending over many years.”
Ms MacDonald said: “My client is well aware of the trust the court would be placing in him and would be willing to accept any conditions.”
Sheriff Berry warned Thorsted that, given his record, he would be entirely justified in jailing him but added he would allow the accused to be assessed for the issues that contributed to his offending and urged him to grasp the chance which was an alternative to being sent to prison.
His progress will be reviewed on March 19. Thorsted will be subject to a 7pm-7am curfew meantime.