Contempt warning for mainland lawyers

DEFENCE solicitors were warned yesterday (Thursday) to appear on time for sheriff court proceedings in Lerwick or risk being in contempt of court.

Sheriff Graeme Napier's strong words were made after the late arrival of two solicitors who had travelled to Shetland from the Scottish mainland.

Murray Aitken, of Falkirk law firm MTM, and John Slavin, from Glasgow, both apologised unreservedly and said they would take the sheriff's comments on board

Two trials scheduled for 10am yesterday morning could only be called after 11am as the court had to wait for both solicitors to arrive on the flight from Glasgow, which arrived at Sumburgh Airport just after 10am.

Sheriff Napier said that it was their responsibility to arrive at Lerwick Sheriff Court on time and had no right "to run court proceedings".

He added they could "find themselves in a position of contempt of court".


Faroese fisherman faces arrest

LERWICK Sheriff Court issued a warrant to arrest a Faroese fisherman who failed to turn up for his trial date yesterday (Thursday).

Josef Marni Getturson Mikkelsen, of Fologetd 7, Torshavn was due to face charges of indecently approaching two boys, aged nine and ten, in the Clickimin swimming pool, in Lerwick, on 25 November last year.

The 42 year old pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the court on 28 November and bail was granted at the time.


Fined for flying fists

TWO UNPROVOKED assaults in a Lerwick nightclub led to fines for two young men at Lerwick Sheriff Court, yesterday (Thursday).

Nrong Kaniket, 23, of Norgaet, Lerwick pleaded guilty to punching his victim twice on the head, at Posers nightclub, on the night of 12 March last year.

This assault started a chain of events in which a number of people became involved. It was then that a second assault took place when Ian Murray Masson, of 19 Bruce Crescent butted a second victim on the head. Masson, 21, also pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard his victim had to attend the Gilbert Bain Hospital and was in need of "corrective dental treatment" over "a number of appointments".

Sheriff Graeme Napier fined Kaniket £250. Sentence on Masson was deferred until 2 February to allow time for the procurator fiscal to establish the cost of the dental treatment his victim required.

Sheriff Napier told Masson that his fine would be more than £250 since he was to be convicted of a more serious assault and he also had a longer list of previous convictions than Kaniket. There would also be a compensation order.


Couple's only contact in court

A DRINK fuelled domestic dispute led to a Lerwick couple being fined £250 each, at the town's sheriff court yesterday (Thursday).

David Craigie Anderson, 41, of 58 Nederdale, and 39 year old Caroline Edith Hunter Anderson, of 28 Hoofields, pleaded both guilty to a charge of breach of the peace.

The court heard that the couple was now separated and the only connection between them was through these legal proceedings.