Our reporters have been sitting in courtrooms across the north and north-east this week and covered a wide variety of cases.
Parents hit kids with wooden spoon
An Indian couple who hit their “difficult children” with a wooden spoon didn’t know their methods of discipline were inappropriate, a court was told.
Both parents from Aberdeenshire had admitted three charges of assault between them.
But the husband and wife left Aberdeen Sheriff Court unpunished after the sheriff agreed there were “cultural differences” between what’s acceptable in the UK and India.
Cannabis farm ‘gardener’ jailed
A cannabis farm “house-sitter and gardener” ran and hid under a tarpaulin cover as police knocked on the door of the drugs factory worth more than £250,000.
Zygimantas Nevulis looked after the high-tech farm inside an address on Leggart Terrace in Aberdeen in return for free accommodation and £80 per week.
When police knocked on the door, the 30-year-old fled and took cover underneath a tarpaulin in a bedroom.
Bid to recover conman’s profits
Court action to claw £21 million back from a convicted north-east conman who used his victims’ money to live a lavish lifestyle has been continued into next year.
The Crown is pursuing a proceeds of crime action against rogue financial adviser Alistair Greig who was convicted of fraud during a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The 68-year-old masterminded a Ponzi scheme that sucked in dozens of investors to place their funds in “guaranteed” high-interest accounts.
Teen who killed best friend in car crash avoids lock up
A teenager who caused a car crash that killed his 16-year-old best friend has avoided being locked up but is banned from driving.
New driver Connor Lawless had been driving at “excessive speeds” in the moments before he caused a three-vehicle crash on the A9 near North Kessock outside Inverness.
His best friend Gregor McIntosh, who was a front seat passenger in Lawless’ Vauxhall Corsa, suffered fatal injuries in the collisions and later died at Raigmore Hospital.
Lawless, 20, had only had his licence for five months at the time of the crash on December 20 2019.
Fugitive sex offender finally jailed
A fugitive sex offender who went on the run before a court could punish him has finally faced justice nearly two years after he fled.
Robert Clark had previously admitted two charges of indecent assault and one of intentionally causing another to look at a sexual image.
But he failed to show up for his sentencing hearing at Tain Sheriff Court on November 16 2020.
‘Big man’ drug dealers spared jail
A pair of budding drug dealers who were said to be “playing the big man” when they were caught red-handed with drugs and guns have been spared jail.
A police raid in Peterhead uncovered large quantities of cannabis and cocaine at a flat where Kyle Rossiter, 22, and Gordon Watson, 20, were discovered.
Officers also found what appeared to be a silver handgun and a rifle at the property.
An estimated £35,000 worth of drugs were recovered from the scene, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
Convicted rapist appeals sentence
A convicted rapist who caused women “considerable harm and distress” during sickening sexual and physical attacks is appealing his prison sentence.
Jamie Ironside preyed on his victims at addresses in Inverness between 2006 and 2012.
Following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, the 38-year-old maintained his innocence even as he was being sentenced to four years in jail.
Racist hurled abuse using ‘n-word’
A man used the ‘n-word’ to hurl vile racist abuse at his Portuguese neighbours and called all Aberdonians “f****** scum” – a court has heard.
Gerrard McGlone, 57, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted shouting at the family from the living room window of his flat on Constitution Street, Aberdeen.
McGlone also left a female taxi driver in an “extreme frightened” state by subjecting her to an abusive verbal tirade before racially abusing her colleagues.
Cocaine driver mounted pavements
An electrician who was driving under the influence of cocaine mounted pavements, crashed into plant pots and hit a road traffic sign.
Kieran Robinson’s erratic driving was spotted by motorists after he pulled out onto the A93 Dess to Kincardine O’Neill road, causing other road users to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
The 26-year-old was then seen to swerve and stop in the middle of the road before mounting pavements on either side of the road and hitting whatever was in his path.
Robinson then stopped his car and helped locals clean up the mess he’d made.
Twins accused of cyclist’s murder
Twin brothers are to stand trial next year accused of murdering a cyclist and disposing of his body on an Argyll and Bute estate.
Alexander and Robert McKellar – aged 30 – deny killing Tony Parsons on September 29 2017 near Bridge of Orchy.
Mr Parsons, a former naval petty officer, was reported missing after he failed to return to his Tillicoutry home after a charity cycle ride to Fort William in the Highlands.
Abuser punched pregnant partner
A domestic abuser punched his pregnant partner in the stomach because there was no food in the house, a court has heard.
Nathan Kerr carried out a vicious catalogue of abuse against his former partner that included assaulting her on several occasions – once throwing a stereo speaker at her face, which left a large gash on her lip.
On another occasion, the 27-year-old punched the woman in the stomach despite knowing she was six months pregnant.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that Kerr then told her: “I didn’t even punch you that hard.”
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Robber threatened to ‘chop’ newsagent with axe
An axe-wielding teen who robbed and threatened to “chop” an Aberdeen newsagent has been jailed.
Jay Jamieson brandished a “large axe” at the terrified shop worker at Jollies Stores in the Sheddocksley area of the city on December 12 last year.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard Jamieson threatened to “chop” him before fleeing with just over £300.
Woman tried smuggling SIM cards into prison
A woman who attempted to smuggle mobile phone SIM cards to her boyfriend in prison has been told by a sheriff that her relationship was “toxic”.
Samantha Nelson concealed two SIM cards in her mouth on a visit to HMP Inverness, also known as Porterfield.
After being caught out by a routine search, she said that she had been pressured into the crime by her then partner.
Ex moved back into partner’s home while she was on holiday
A woman returned from holiday to find her ex-partner had moved into her flat where he ripped the intercom system off the wall when asked to leave.
Mariusz Moczulski, 47, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted using the spare keys his ex-partner had given him to her flat in Torry, Aberdeen.
When she told him to leave and locked him out he pulled her intercom system from the wall and verbally abused her.
Serial seagull shooter caught again
A man who was previously fined for shooting seagulls with a slingshot has landed back in the dock after being caught catapulting ball bearings at another bird.
Bryan MacLennan, 34, returned to Tain Sheriff Court just eight months after his last appearance for similar offences.
He admitted a further charge under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, following an incident at Kirkside, Alness on July 24 of this year.
‘Headache’ made woman plead guilty
A woman who brandished a knife at police tried to take back her guilty plea, claiming she previously had a “migraine headache” and couldn’t concentrate on what her lawyer had said.
Melanie Knowles previously pled guilty, after consulting a solicitor, to a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
The offence, which happened on May 31 at her address at Regent Court, involved her shouting, swearing, acting in an aggressive manner, brandishing a knife and threatening violence toward police.
She also made homophobic remarks to one officer.
Dog owner punched pet and held knife at mum’s face
A violent dog owner punched and kicked his “scared and shivering” pet while being arrested by police and later held his mum at knifepoint as he demanded money from her.
Greig Falconer also “dragged” his dog around on an earlier occasion, and drunkenly brandished a knife at his own mum and step-grandfather in a later incident.
The 29-year-old appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after admitting a string of offences in which he abused his pet, brandished a knife at his own relatives, and hurled homophobic abuse at police officers.
Man hid knife in parking ticket machine
A man who was seen screaming on Aberdeen’s Union Street in the early hours of the morning ran away from police and tried to hide a knife inside a parking ticket machine.
Colin Allan unleashed an expletive-ridden torrent of abuse at the officers when he spotted their car.
But when they tried to apprehend him, the now 31-year-old “made good his escape”.
‘Wake-up call’ for drug-dealing boxer
A drug-dealing boxer caught with more than £5,000 of cocaine stashed under a car seat has had a “wake-up call” after being arrested by police, a court was told.
Ben McHattie was caught when officers approached a Ford Fiesta, in which he was a passenger, on Skene View, Westhill.
The 22-year-old immediately confessed to officers there were drugs hidden in the vehicle and that they belonged to him.
Jill Barclay murder accused in court
The man accused of murdering an Aberdeen mum whose body was discovered on fire opposite a road in Dyce has appeared in court for a second time.
Rhys Bennett has again appeared in private at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, accused of striking Jill Barclay on the head by an unknown means.
The 22-year-old, whose address was given as Ballingry in Fife, faces charges of murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
He made no plea, is fully committed and was remanded in custody on Wednesday September 28.
Guilty: OAP murdered mum and son
A pensioner has been convicted for the murders of Inverness mum Renee MacRae and their toddler son Andrew, ending nearly 46 years of mystery over who was responsible for the pair’s disappearance.
William (Bill) MacDowell was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum jail term of 30 years.
Lord Armstrong told the callous killer: “These murders appear to have been premeditated and planned in a most calculating way.
Killer made fake shotgun for robbery
A convicted killer who pulled off a fake shotgun robbery using two metal pipes stuck together with tape told shop workers: “Sorry, but I am going to need you to give me the money” – a court has heard.
Mark Junor, 46, left workers at a RS McColl store in Ellon “fearful” for their lives and walked out of the store with 40 Lambert and Butler cigarettes and £270 cash.
He entered the Provost Davidson Drive shop at 9.53pm on February 17 this year with what looked like a firearm, The High Court in Edinburgh was told.
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Jilted husband burned wife’s clothes
A jilted husband sent his wife a picture of her clothes on fire and followed up with another WhatsApp message that asked: “any marshmallows?”
Raymond Craigie was furious that his wife had left him and moved in with a friend.
He turned up at the Newmachar property and demanded to read the messages on her mobile phone.
Farmer drove tractor ‘carelessly’
A farmer carelessly turned his tractor into the path of an overtaking tipper van, causing it to spin almost 180 degrees off the road.
Dale McLaughlan, 54, was driving his tractor at around 10 miles per hour on the A95 when he tried to turn into an unmarked turning.
But he had not seen a Ford Transit tipper that was attempting an overtake, leading to a collision that left the van passenger trapped with “life-threatening” injuries.
Drug addict stole friend’s bank card
A woman stole her friend’s bank card and withdrew more than £600 because she was “desperate” to buy drugs, her defence lawyer has told a court.
Laura Wemyss withdrew hundreds of pounds over the three days after taking the card, which had previously been given to her to do the shopping for herself and the friend.
The man failed to notice the card was missing until around a month after last using it.
But a hand-written note was posted through his door, advising he cancel his cards.
Rejected boyfriend stalked ex
A rejected boyfriend who couldn’t get over his breakup followed his ex-girlfriend into an alleyway and placed her in a headlock, a court has heard.
Damian Zielinski, who also attempted to gain entry to his former partner’s home, has been ordered to stay away from the woman for three years.
The 21-year-old admitted following the woman and placing his hands around her throat, despite previously being ordered by a court not to approach her.
Teacher slapped pinching pupil
A teacher forcefully slapped a pupil who pinched him while they were out picking brambles but told a court it was just a “clumsy” accident.
Alan McCartney lost his temper and “lashed out” at the six-year-old boy during the incident.
A trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court found the 52-year-old guilty of assaulting the youngster, although McCartney had denied any wrongdoing.
Underage girls suffer sexual assault
A man sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl on an Aberdeen bus and made a series of disgusting comments towards three underage girls during the journey.
Christopher Barron, 36, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted making repeated lewd remarks to the girls.
All of them were only 12 years old at the time and were told by Barron they were “sexy” and that he would “destroy them”.
He then told the group of girls that they “wouldn’t be able to walk for weeks”.
Schoolgirl sent sexual Snapchats
An Aberdeen man sent sexual Snapchat messages to a schoolgirl asking the teenager for a kiss and checking if she would keep it a secret.
Greg Robertson even admitted to the 15-year-old girl in one of the messages that his unlawful behaviour was “possibly wrong”.
The 38-year-old sent a number of ‘snaps’ to the underage teen, suggesting they meet up in his car and “kiss” and also asked the girl if she could “keep a secret?”
But Robertston was soon caught when the girl spoke to her mum and showed her the messages he’d sent.
Driver raced through school zone
An “immature” driver who raced through a school zone at high speed and crashed his car into another vehicle has been banned from getting behind the wheel.
Glen Still admitted to speeding, taking sharp bends in the wrong lane and tailgating on roads in Aberdeenshire.
The 23-year-old trainee scaffolder caused a car crash when he lost control of his vehicle, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
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