Man kept behind bars after altercation at former partner’s house

A man who avoided jail for pulling a knife on his partner and threatening to rape and kill her was remanded in custody today at Lerwick Sheriff Court after causing more trouble at her house.Only four days had passed since Daniel Moore, 41, of Hoofields, Lerwick, was put under supervision for 18 months and given 140 hours of community service before he was arrested again on Sunday last week and put back in the cells.

Appearing on Monday after seven days in custody, he admitted making threats, forcing his way into the woman’s house at Grostane on 10th July and refusing to leave.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Moore’s visit at 11pm while drunk had been to find out about his now ex-partner’s new boyfriend. Fortunately for her, he was there when Moore appeared. Despite that, the police found her terrified and in tears when they arrived.

Mr MacKenzie said the woman had already told Moore they were finished and he could not have any more contact with her. “It would appear that he would simply refuse to accept that,” Mr MacKenzie told Sheriff Graeme Napier. “There is concern, my Lord, that he could cause this woman significant harm.”

On the night when he had kept her hostage he held a six-inch knife against her, drawing it down the length of her body. She eventually fled in her nightclothes after he had said he would kill her at 11pm. Sheriff Napier described her ordeal as “horrendous”.

Explaining this latest incident defence solicitor Chris Dowle said Moore had gone to the house to retrieve some of his belongings because he needed work clothes to do his community service.

He denied being drunk that night, claiming to have had only two glasses of wine with a friend while watching a Grand Prix race on TV then two pints of beer in the Marlex bar on his way out the road.

He admitted to being shocked that someone who he had thought was his friend was at the house with his former partner. He maintained that matters got out of hand partly as a result of aggression shown by that individual.

Mr Dowle said his client was unlikely to reoffend now that he knew the position regarding his former relationship.
Sheriff Napier told Moore he had had months since the assault to arrange to get his stuff and there had been no urgent need to retrieve it that night.

The court is legally required to ask for another social inquiry report and the sheriff refused bail while it is compiled. Moore will remain in custody until he reappears for sentence on 28th July.

Evidence will also have to be presented to the court to show whether or not Moore has a job with DITT Construction, which he claims he has been promised.