Probation for woman who assaulted brother’s girlfriend

A woman who “locked horns” with her victim in a drunken dispute was placed on probation for nine months by Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Julie Walterson, 38, of Goodlad Crescent in Lerwick, was told to wear a tag for a month after assaulting a woman at Hayfield House in June, repeatedly punching her on the head to her injury. She will also have to pay £150 in compensation.

Meanwhile her brother, Colin Woodworth, 31, of Park Wynd in Sandwick, had a £450 fine converted to a 90 hours supervised attendance order and was told to pay £100 compensation after admitting pushing the woman against a wall, striking her on the body and causing her to fall to the ground.

The dispute arose after the victim ended a relationship she was in with Woodworth.

The court had previously heard that Woodworth committed his part of the offence before calling on Walterson to continue with the assault.

However on Wednesday defence agent Neil McRobert said Walterson had gone to “calm down” the situation that had arisen.

“Her position is the complainer had been aggressive, and there was effectively a locking of horns between the two of them,” he said, adding alcohol was “clearly a factor in this”.

Sheriff Napier said he was concerned by a background report which indicated Walterson was less than keen to undertake a restriction of liberty order.

Mr McRobert said Walterson enjoyed visiting her parents. He said remaining indoors might not stop her from doing things she should not do.

Agent for Woodworth, Tommy Allan, said his client was “confident” he would be starting a new job in January.