A foul-mouthed woman who was previously spared jail and given a second chance to behave hurled homophobic abuse at a hospital and police station, a court heard.
Sarah Patterson, of Hill Grind in Lerwick, behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at the town’s Gilbert Bain Hospital and police station.
The 36-year-old shouted, swore and made homophobic remarks during incidents on June 26, Lerwick Sheriff Court was told.
Patterson previously had sentences deferred on two other matters for her to show she could behave well.
But the latest abusive outburst has earned Patterson 10 months in prison.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank described the hospital incident as a “further example of totally unacceptable, alcohol fuelled vitriolic” behaviour.
Accused ‘mortified’ by actions
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said staff at the hospital had contacted police after Patterson, who had been drinking, became disruptive and abusive.
Officers attended but the woman shouted and swore at them as they arrested her and took her to the police station.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client was “mortified” that she had abused a police officer who supported her in the past.
‘No alternative’ to prison
At a previous court hearing on another matter, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank decided against sending Patterson to prison, after hearing of a “sea change” in her life.
However, the court heard that Patterson, who was appearing from custody, had left a rehab facility early and returned to Shetland.
This time, Sheriff Cruickshank felt there was no other alternative than to send her to custody.
‘Spectacularly ill-advised’ decision
Mr Allan said, prior to the hospital incident, Patterson made the “spectacularly ill-advised” decision to open her door to an acquaintance who is well known to the court.
“She should have known (it was ill-advised) but was unable to say no”, he added.
The court heard that Patterson is currently clean and making progress.
Her 10 month prison sentence was backdated to June 27, when she was first taken into custody.
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