A man from Lerwick who threatened to “slice the cheeks off” two people while holding a screwdriver has been jailed for nine months.
At Lerwick Sheriff Court yesterday, procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said John Hutcheson, of South Lochside, acted in a “deeply unpleasant” manner that caused terror for the young people who were involved.
The 25-year-old previously admitted repeatedly shouting and swearing, behaving in an aggressive manner, uttering offensive remarks and demanding controlled substances be given to him at addresses in Lerwick’s St Olaf Street and St Magnus Street on 25 May.
He thereafter returned and uttered threats of violence while in possession of a screwdriver and a hammer.
Hutcheson also admitted assaulting two girls – then aged 15 and 16 – at the St Olaf St property on the same day by throwing milk.
At St Magnus Street on 26 May, Hutcheson resisted, obstructed or hindered two police constables, struggled with them and escaped from lawful detention.
The fiscal said Hutcheson attended a house at around 6.45pm looking for drugs, but it was “clearly” the wrong address.
He left, but later returned holding a screwdriver, while a hammer was protruding from his waistband.
He threatened two people by telling them he would “stab them in the eyes” and “slice their cheeks off”.
After 20 minutes, Hutcheson fell asleep on a couch while still holding the items, leaving the occupants too scared to leave in case he awoke.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client was “disgusted” with his behaviour, which he “cannot deny would be a frightening experience” for those involved – despite his poor recollection of what happened.
“When he is clean and sober he can make a positive contribution to those around him,” the solicitor said.
Sheriff Philip Mann said that the incident occurred the very day the he had received a community payback order from the court.
Hutcheson walked out of court that day “having no regard for the authority” of the justice system.
Sheriff Mann jailed him for nine months, backdated to 27 May when he first entered custody.
