Violent man who threatened woman with knife jailed for 22 months

A violent man is today beginning a 22-month spell behind bars after admitting threatening a woman with a knife.

The sentence was imposed on Ebrahim Hassan, 49, of Lerwick, who went to the woman’s house in Sandveien on 17th December.

He went into the kitchen and armed himself with the weapon before holding it at her. It was accepted that Hassan had no intention of using the knife.

But in carrying out the offence, Hassan breached a curfew order which was imposed on him following an early release from prison.

Hassan had been on remand since last month when sentence was deferred for reports.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court today defence agent Tommy Allan said Hassan had accepted his wrong-doing, despite remarks he had made to social workers who compiled their background findings.

He said Hassan was “highly motivated to remain out of custody”.

Mr Allan added Hassan had used his time on remand usefully. He had taken steps to address his drug misuse, and was now willing to co-operate with any non-custodial disposal.

“Despite what’s in the report he accepts he has done wrong here. That is something that he deeply regrets and he is aware he caused alarm to the complainer.”

Sheriff Philip Mann ordered Hassan to serve the remaining six months of his original sentence on top of a 16-month prison term he must serve for the new offence.

“You were released early from prison and that is something that is done on the basis that you can be trusted to come out into the community and act in an appropriate manner and not re-offend and cause trouble.

“Clearly you breached that trust which was placed on you and it seems to me that ought not to go un-noticed, or unpunished.”