Lerwick teenager released on bail following drunken incident at girlfriend’s house
A teenager who embarked on a drunken and heated row with his girlfriend at the weekend narrowly avoided being held on remand when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.
Trevor Couper, 18, of Cairnfield Road, Lerwick, pleaded guilty to breaching the peace at Angela Patterson’s home in Haldane Burgess Crescent in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Patterson, 20, also admitted shouting and swearing during the dispute. The two were kept in police cells until today’s custody hearing.
The court heard Patterson’s neighbours were awoken by the 3am argument. Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said a young child living close to Patterson was now “too afraid to leave the house because of the way this pair behaves themselves”.
“It would appear alcohol is a significant factor – certainly a significant factor in Mr Couper’s offending, and he seems to have indulged in that,” Mr MacKenzie said.
Sheriff Graeme Napier was not best pleased to learn Couper was already on probation after committing a similar offence. Last month he was also given a 120-hour community payback order after getting involved in another row with Patterson.
Sentence on Patterson had been deferred for her to be of good behaviour. “The question is whether either, or both, are candidates for bail,” the sheriff said.
Agent Tommy Allan said Patterson has a baby son, who was not in the house at the time of the incident. “Her position is she was taken into custody on Saturday morning. She said it had been the worst weekend of her life,” he said.
Couper had established weekly contact with Shetland’s drug and alcohol service. “That’s an area that needs to continue,” Mr Allan added.
Calling for reports, sheriff Napier released the pair on bail. However, Couper must stay away from Haldane Burgess Crescent as part of his bail conditions. He was also told not to be under the influence in public and provide a breath test if required by police.
The pair will appear in court again on 6th July.
