Our reporters have been sitting in courtrooms across the north and north-east this week and covered a wide variety of cases.
Drunk woman threw mop at barmaid
A drunk woman threw a mop at a barmaid after being refused service – then told police her arrest was “homophobic”.
Raging Carole Millett, 43, was told she couldn’t have any more alcohol at the Rohaan Cafe Bar in Dyce after she’d downed drinks for around five hours on May 19 this year.
Millett then became angry and shouted, “Who do you think you are?” before grabbing a mop and throwing it at the woman, who was the bar’s supervisor.
Man found with bloodied hands after he brutally attacked neighbour
An Ellon man has been jailed for a further six months after admitting to a second brutal attack on his neighbour in the man’s own home.
Simon Obuzor, known as Williams, was previously locked up for eight months in December last year, following a more recent assault on the same man.
And now the 34-year-old repeat offender has reappeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and pled guilty to an earlier terrifying onslaught on the same victim.
Man charged over A9 crash
A man has appeared in court accused of dangerous driving and causing serious injury following a crash on the A9 on New Year’s Day.
Bilal Amla, 29, is also charged with drink-driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Amla, who comes from the Leicester area, appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court where he made no plea, was committed for further examination and released on bail.
The next date for the case to call has yet to be confirmed.
Beautician attacked partner in car park
A romantic weekend away in Inverness turned violent when a beautician dragged her tattooist boyfriend across a car park by his hair and threw a spray can at his head.
Jodie Hannan’s violent actions – branded “extremely unpleasant” by a sheriff – came after her partner decided to leave her alone in the hotel room for hours while he went to see a client.
This so enraged Hannan that she took a taxi 14 miles to confront him before carrying out the nasty attack.
Man threatened to slit neighbour’s throat
A man who was angry with “the system” threatened to slit his neighbour’s throat during a 24-minute call to police.
Piers Bailey initially called the emergency services himself to complain that his neighbour had threatened him.
But after not receiving the desired response, the 54-year-old vowed to “take matters into his own hands” and kill his neighbour.
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Mum accused of trying to murder mum
A man has appeared in court in Inverness charged with trying to murder his 78-year-old mother.
Bruce Davis, 51, from Inverness, is accused of assault to injury and danger of life by attempting to strangle the woman.
It’s understood the incident happened on New Year’s Day.
He made no plea during his private appearance at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Man caught with cannabis haul
A man was caught with nearly £1,000 of cannabis after being thrown out of an Aberdeen pub when customers mistook him for a Rangers supporter.
Edmund Eccles and a friend were watching a football match on TV at the Butchers Arms on George Street when their Clackmannanshire accents drew the ire of Dons fans.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told tensions rose to the extent that all parties were thrown out of the bar and there were further issues between the “combatants” in the street outside.
Holidaying bikers caught speeding into NC500 village
A group of motorcyclists have admitted careless driving after speeding towards a Highland village while travelling on the NC500 route.
Police officers were setting up for static speed checks at Navidale on the A9 when they heard loud engine noises approaching.
Three white KTMs and a silver Aprilia then accelerated down the hill towards the village of Helmsdale, travelling at speeds the officers judged to be in excess of the limit.
Man had ‘anti-police’ attitude
A man with an “anti-police” attitude was taken back to his mum’s house in leg restraints by officers following a foul-mouthed rant and struggle in a field.
Ethan Clark repeatedly grappled with officers and shouted abuse on numerous occasions when they tried to speak to him, Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard.
Fiscal depute Lydia Ross told the court about a string of incidents involving the 20-year-old.
Jealous man threatened to burn down ex’s home
A jealous man has narrowly avoided jail after threatening to burn down his ex’s house and kill her new boyfriend.
Stewart Sutherland bombarded the woman with horrifying phonecalls making stomach-churning threats to harm her and her family.
When she blocked his number, the 31-year-old started phoning from another number, at one point calling dozens of times in less than an hour.
Teen attacker threw motorbike helmet at former partner
A teenager has been fined after an attack involving a motorcycle helmet saw his ex-girlfriend needing an ambulance.
Gordon Drummond, 19, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen for the first day of trial and admitted assaulting his former partner just two days after they had broken up.
The court heard Drummond threw his motorcycle helmet at the woman before pushing her to the ground in a jealous rage.
As Drummond sped off, an ambulance had to be called after the woman suffered a head injury.
Dad used ladder to try to enter home at 3am
A mum was forced to call the police at 3am after discovering her ex-partner clambering up a ladder outside her home.
Robert Stewart turned up at his ex’s Lossiemouth address, where she lived with their children, and tried to open the doors before grabbing a ladder to gain entry from an upstairs window.
The frightened woman immediately called police and when they turned up – around five hours later – Stewart was long gone.
Get the latest crime and court stories delivered straight to your inbox
Every day our reporters are sitting in courtrooms around the area and now you can get their stories sent directly to you, five days a week.
Drink-driver’s job in doubt
A young motorist is facing losing his job at a car dealership after he was caught drink-driving.
Mark Jordan was more than three times the legal limit when he was pulled over by police in his grey Vauxhall at 1.50am on December 10 last year.
The 19-year-old, who only got his licence 18 months before, was found by officers to have bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol.
He’s now facing uncertainty over his job at a car dealership in Inverness.
‘Flustered’ American tourist caused serious crash
An American tourist was so flustered after missing a turn that he drove on the wrong side of the road and caused a serious crash, a court has heard
Matthew Lindgren, from Idaho, was driving from Skye to Fort William with his wife and children when he crossed into the opposite carriageway of the A887 and collided with an oncoming car.
Both Lindgren and the other driver were trapped in their vehicles by the impact and were left with serious injuries. Lindgren’s wife and children escaped unscathed.
Man smuggled cannabis into prison hidden inside pair of trainers
A man’s brazen attempt to post cannabis into a north-east jail was thwarted when prison officials searched the parcel and found the drugs hidden inside a pair of trainers.
Joe Roberts, also known as Amess, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted to attempting to smuggle the drugs into HMP Grampian.
The court was told eagle-eyed prison officers noticed something amiss when the shoes arrived and found two blocks of cannabis resin, worth around £160, hidden in the heels.
Curry house racist
A man flagged down police officers on the street and demanded they view a picture of his diarrhoea after he left an Indian restaurant without paying.
Jonathon Holmes had ordered £28.45 of food and drink at the Spice Tandoori in Fort William and told staff that he was enjoying his meal.
But after a protracted visit to the acclaimed restaurant’s toilets, Holmes falsely claimed the meal had made him unwell and refused to pay.
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