Man jailed for assaulting woman and threatening another

A man was jailed for 23 weeks for assaulting one woman and threatening to kill another when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court.

Calum Jamieson, 29, of St Olaf Street, Lerwick, pushed his first victim to the ground at Lerwick’s Esplanade on 14th July and spat on her face.

Then, on 31st July, he threatened another woman with violence at the Thule Bar while he was on bail. He also cleared his throat as if to prepare to spit on his victim.

Jamieson was remanded in custody last Thursday after claiming he had been provoked prior to the latest incident, although today’s court heard there had been no “element of immediate provocation”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Jamieson had been subject to verbal provocation.

He urged Sheriff Philip Mann to grant Jamieson his liberty until other court matters were dealt with on 19th September.

Mr Allan argued Jamieson had suffered from recent difficulties and was eager to follow up three job opportunities.

“It’s his contention he’s really turning the corner. He’s highly motivated not to go back to custody.”

He added that, should Jamieson be allowed to go free, he would accept whatever limitations the court might place on him, such as a curfew order.

However the sheriff insisted he had no alternative but to send Jamieson to prison, although he apologised to him as he did so.

Sentencing, he told Jamieson: “You would be the first to accept that you have been given chances in the past.

“I accept these offences are not at the highest end of the scale, but they are serious. You’ve not quite learned you have got to behave yourself.

“It seems to me there’s no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. I’m sorry about that, but it’s what I have to do in the public interest.”

Sheriff Mann backdated the sentence to 2nd August when Jamieson was placed on remand.

Before being led from the dock, Jamieson argued: “There’s only regression ahead of me if I go to prison.”

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