Man jailed after visiting former partner

A man has been sentenced to 12 weeks behind bars after he admitted breaching an interdict by visiting his former partner against her wishes.

Oliver Tait, 44, of Lingaro, Bixter, was also ordered to abide by a two year non-harassment order which prevents him from making contact with the woman.

Sentence on Tait was previously deferred for background reports to be compiled.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said a list of Tait’s previous convictions related to the same woman, as well as breaches in special bail conditions.

He told Sheriff Philip Mann his former partner had been left “terrified” of him, and suffered post traumatic stress disorder as a result of their past relationship.

“Clearly, there is an interdict in place,” he said.

The court heard Tait had breached the interdict when he appeared at the woman’s address.

She had gone out a side door of the house when she looked and saw him walking around from the front.

“He said he needed to talk to her,” the fiscal said. “She replied he shouldn’t have been there.”

The woman felt she needed to contact her mother to come and collect her to take her from the address.

Mr MacKenzie called for a non-harassment order which would prevent Tait from entering the Lerwick street where she lives, or to approach or contact the woman.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Tait had managed to stay out of trouble for two years. He had initially spent a week on remand but had behaved himself since his release.

Mr Allan added Tait had wanted to apologise to the woman for the way their relationship had worked out.

“From time to time he feels a need to make amends and draw a line under things.”

However, the sheriff sentenced him to 12 weeks in custody from Wednesday and granted the non-harassment order requested by the Crown.

“You must know the effect you have on this particular lady, and I’ve just had a look at the minutes from a court appearance on 29th May 2013 when I imposed a custodial sentence for a statutory breach of the peace in relation to the same woman.

“It seems to me the message hasn’t got through, and the only way to get that through is to impose a custodial sentence.”

Tait attempted to draw the attention of the press before being led from the dock to begin his sentence.