Man fined after Scalloway ‘mêlée’

A man has been fined £600 after becoming involved in a “mêlée” outside the Scalloway Boating Club.

David Stewart, 32, of Clydebank in Glasgow, was thrown out of the premises on Friday after he became involved in a dispute.

But things got even worse after the men he had argued with went out for a smoke.

Stewart became confrontational and threatened them with violence.

He even took to waving a length of wood around, and police had to be called.

Appearing from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court, Stewart admitted behaving in an abusive manner at Port Arthur, threatening violence and brandishing the wood.

Defence agent Chris Dowle said there had been a “mêlée” outside the boating club. Stewart, he said, had ended up on the ground with a head injury, and had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

The agent added Stewart, who is working in the isles, was very sorry for what he had done.

“He has been working up here for a number of months. He’s never been out. But on this occasion he did go out, and this is what’s happened,” Mr Dowle told the court.

“He fully understands it’s not acceptable for people coming to work in the isles to behave like that.”

Mr Dowle stressed that Stewart had spent two days in custody following the offence.

Honorary sheriff Sandy Cluness reduced the fine from £900 to reflect the stage of plea.

In a separate case, Simon Rushby, 19, of Ladies Drive in Lerwick was released on bail.

Rushby is accused of throwing items around, smashing a television, and shouting and swearing at his partner earlier this month while on bail for other offences.

His case was continued without plea until Wednesday.

Rushby was previously held on remand, but was today granted his liberty after Mr Dowle argued being in custody had taught him a “salutary lesson”.

Meanwhile, Oliver Tait, 44, of Lingaro, Bixter, was released on bail with special conditions after sentence on him was deferred, again, until Wednesday.

Tait admitted visiting his former partner at her house in Lerwick and speaking to her in the knowledge that he was in breach of an interdict, and loitering outside her house.

Despite being at liberty, Tait must not approach his complainer, or enter Lerwick unless for his court appearance.