Woman entered Lerwick house uninvited and then struggled with police officer

A Lerwick woman walked uninvited into a couple’s home after drinking a bottle of cider and refused to leave before struggling with a police officer.

Donna Paton, 48, of, Robertson Crescent, went into the St Olaf Street address on Sunday night. She entered a bedroom and woke up a woman who was sleeping there. When the police were called Paton shouted and swore.

Paton, who has fallen victim to the unpopular “bedroom tax”, admitted breaching the peace when she appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said the couple who occupied the house used to baby-sit for Paton when she was much younger.

The “man of the house” was watching television at around half past eleven at night when Paton slipped in un-noticed. The woman was awakened by her coming into the bedroom.

Mr MacKenzie highlighted a police report which said Paton was a “compliant” person when sober, but went through a change of character when drunk.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Paton faced having to move house because of the widely criticised government policy. He added Paton had found things difficult to cope with, adding she had drunk a big bottle of cider that day. “When she feels she can’t keep in control she resorts to alcohol,” he told the court.

Mr Allan said Paton had grown up in the house next door to where the offence took place, and alongside the woman who had complained.

He said: “She had felt emotional and went to look at her old house. She had seen a light on next door and had gone in. She accepts she was not in a fit state to go visiting.”

Mr Allan added that Paton had not set out to cause upset or alarm, and she was sorry for the shock she had caused.

Sheriff Philip Mann called for background reports to be compiled. He ordained Paton to appear in court again on 18th April.