An islander has admitted making threatening phone calls to her local doctors and social work staff.
Margaret Bell, 64, of 12 Struthan Terrace, Crossapol, Tiree, appeared at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday.
She pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which caused Dr Felicity Brand, Dr Keith Slater, Dr John Holliday, Catriona Cowling, Kathryn MaCallum, Mairi MacLean and Allina Langley, all staff at Tiree Medical Practice or social work on Tiree, fear and alarm.
Some calls were silent but in others, Bell made threats and abusive comments, between February 12 and June 26 last year.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “They were called repeatedly morning noon and night. Some of the doctors couldn’t function and yet they were unable to turn their phones off.
“She was spoken to by the police and given a final warning. Police had no option but to arrest her when the calls started again.”
Solicitor Jane McLaren said: “She moved to Tiree seven and a half years ago from the Fife area with her two sons, Frank who is in his early 40s and Paul, late 30s.
“Her son Frank was diagnosed with a terminal illness in June 2015. He was living at home with Miss Bell and her other son until February when he went into a home on Tiree.
“He continues to deteriorate. Each day she normally goes to see him.
“Because of the pressures and strain on her she began to turn to alcohol. It was when her son was not with her that she started drinking alcohol and unfortunately started making these calls. She can’t remember particularly making them.
“She tells me all the medical practitioners on the island had been very nice to her and provided her with phone numbers to contact when she needed them. Unfortunately she went too far.”
Sheriff Ruth Anderson QC said: “This was extraordinary behaviour, very disruptive.”
Sentence was deferred until August 16.