Man kept in custody for breaching bail

A MAN who breached his bail order the day after it was imposed was remanded in custody when he returned to the dock at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday.

Christopher Baird Anderson, 35, of Lerwick’s Rudda Court, admitted stealing £50 from a taxi on Saturday as it travelled from Da Wheel Bar to Scalloway Road.

Honorary Sheriff George Henderson was told Anderson committed the offence the day after his last appearance in court.

On Friday he was given bail by Sheriff Graeme Napier when he pleaded guilty to stealing a wheelbarrow from the Bressay Heritage Centre on 8th July, as well as three bags of shellfish at Voeside, also in Bressay. He also admitted giving false details to police at Voeside two days later.

Calling for reports, Sheriff Napier deferred sentence until 30th July, accelerating a separate matter which had been down for 27th August to be heard then as well.

But on Monday Anderson returned to the dock from custody.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Anderson had stolen the money from the taxi driver’s purse for heroin.

“This happened within 24 hours of him being released from this court,” he said.

Defence agent Tommy Allan admitted it would be an “uphill struggle” for Anderson to maintain his liberty.
He said Anderson had “spent the weekend drunk” after splitting up with his girlfriend.

Honorary Sheriff Henderson told him: “You were released only on the 11th of this month on bail – the conditions of which you would clearly have understood.

“You’ve had ample chances to comply with the requirements of the court and you simply haven’t done that.”

He deferred sentence on the new offence until 30th July, and remanded him in custody in the meantime.