A sheriff who gave two men a chance to show they were sorry for trashing a family’s home and killing their pet gecko in a blender has lost patience with the pair – and warned they will now likely be locked up.
Daniel Innes wrecked a house in Aberchirder during a drink-fuelled rampage last year before helping pal Jordan McIsaac horrifically kill two lizards.
One of the animals was dropped on the floor, where it died, and the other was shredded in a blender.
Man who killed family’s pet gecko charged after lying about his job
But despite being given time to prove that they were sorry for their actions, the pair have failed to show any remorse – and were yesterday remanded in custody while fresh social work reports are compiled.
In July, Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentencing to allow the pair to show remorse for their actions – a move widely criticised by animal lovers.
He advised them to reach out to animal charities to see what work they could undertake, although many immediately ruled out taking either man on.
But when the case recalled at Banff Sheriff Court yesterday, the sheriff heard they had not taken up the chances offered.
The court heard that Innes, of Brands Butt, Inverurie, had breached his curfew.
The 20-year-old also failed to tell social workers – who were tasked with compiling a background report on him – that he had changed his address.
Eighteen-year-old McIsaac, meanwhile, has failed to carry out a single hour of an existing work order since July.
Men who killed pet gecko in blender told to volunteer with animal charity to avoid prison
Sheriff Mann yesterday remanded the pair pending the fresh social work reports, and warned they were now facing detention.
“I’m in a very difficult position,” he said.
“I deferred sentence to give you an opportunity. I took a lot of flak because I gave you that, so it needed that commitment.
“And I am not satisfied you’ve shown that – either of you.
“That doesn’t give me any confidence that you’ll comply with a non-custodial sentence.
“The most likely outcome is custody.”
Innes’s solicitor Stuart Beveridge said his client had been vilified as a result of his actions, and even assaulted after being recognised as a result of the case.
He added that jobless Innes had made “strenuous” efforts to volunteer his time with animal charities.
“That has been rejected by pretty much everyone,” Mr Beveridge said.
“Mr Innes has tried his best. He has also set up a regular monthly donation to the Scottish SPCA.”
United against cruelty: Animal charities hit out at gecko killers’ sentence
McIsaac’s solicitor, Debbie Wilson, added he had also reached out to the Scottish SPCA and presented a receipt for a £50 donation to the charity.
McIsaac, of Temple View in Banff, was also remanded in custody to await sentencing in relation to an assault he was involved in carrying out in August last year.
Both men will appear in court again on October 31.
Amanda Bibby, who owned the geckos, said after the hearing: “It’s nothing less than what they deserve.
“It has maybe slightly restored my faith in the justice system, but we can’t tell that until the 31st.
“They haven’t behaved and this is their own fault.”
