Several recent cases at Perth Sheriff Court have highlighted a range of offences impacting the local community, from drink driving incidents linked to a camping trip and a shopping excursion, to boat theft and stalking. Drink Driving Incidents
A Fife Council employee, Lewis Allen, 28, of Lochgelly, faced sentencing for driving under the influence of alcohol. Allen pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol (91mics/22) on the A9 near the Inveralmond roundabout on February 22nd. His lawyer explained Allen had been camping in Perthshire when adverse weather prompted his “stupid” decision to drive home while intoxicated. Sheriff David Hall imposed a £640 fine and a 16-month driving ban.
In a separate incident, Suzanne Bond, 58, of Braco, was also sentenced for drink driving. Two concerned individuals called emergency services after witnessing her erratic driving en route to B&M in Crieff on February 25th. Police found her vehicle with its front wheels askew upon arrival. Bond’s solicitor noted she had little memory of the incident, acknowledged the high alcohol reading (104mics/22), and emphasized this served as a “wake-up call,” leading to her abstaining from alcohol since. Sheriff Hall sentenced Bond to a year of supervision, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a 16-month driving ban. Boat Theft and Repayment
DJ Martin Dickson returned to court regarding the theft of a fishing boat valued at £22,000 from Forth Cruising Club in Limekilns in June 2021. Dickson, who infamously launched a crowdfunding campaign shortly after his initial court appearance, demonstrated he had access to thousands of pounds to begin compensating the boat’s owner. The court had previously stipulated he needed to secure £10,000 in restitution. This development marked a turning point in the case, offering potential resolution for the victim. Contraband in Prison and Previous Offences
Martin Reilly, 44, originally of Inverkeithing, was sentenced to five months in prison for possessing a prohibited SIM card within HMP Perth on July 9th, 2022. This sentence will run concurrently with a previous 21-month sentence Reilly received in March for separate offences. His solicitor cited Reilly’s PTSD as a contributing factor. It was mentioned that Reilly had previously served a four-and-a-half year sentence for a dangerous driving incident in Kinross where he struck a pedestrian twice with his vehicle, causing significant injury. Stalking Conviction
Following a trial at Perth Sheriff Court, 76-year-old former company director Michael Paton was convicted of stalking a woman in Perth. Paton denied the accusation, claiming his actions were merely “overly enthusiastic.” Sheriff Hall, however, underscored the principle of consent, stating “no means no,” and found Paton guilty. This verdict delivered a strong message against unwanted pursuits and harassment within the local community.
A Fife Council employee, Lewis Allen, 28, of Lochgelly, faced sentencing for driving under the influence of alcohol. Allen pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol (91mics/22) on the A9 near the Inveralmond roundabout on February 22nd. His lawyer explained Allen had been camping in Perthshire when adverse weather prompted his “stupid” decision to drive home while intoxicated. Sheriff David Hall imposed a £640 fine and a 16-month driving ban.
In a separate incident, Suzanne Bond, 58, of Braco, was also sentenced for drink driving. Two concerned individuals called emergency services after witnessing her erratic driving en route to B&M in Crieff on February 25th. Police found her vehicle with its front wheels askew upon arrival. Bond’s solicitor noted she had little memory of the incident, acknowledged the high alcohol reading (104mics/22), and emphasized this served as a “wake-up call,” leading to her abstaining from alcohol since. Sheriff Hall sentenced Bond to a year of supervision, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a 16-month driving ban. Boat Theft and Repayment
DJ Martin Dickson returned to court regarding the theft of a fishing boat valued at £22,000 from Forth Cruising Club in Limekilns in June 2021. Dickson, who infamously launched a crowdfunding campaign shortly after his initial court appearance, demonstrated he had access to thousands of pounds to begin compensating the boat’s owner. The court had previously stipulated he needed to secure £10,000 in restitution. This development marked a turning point in the case, offering potential resolution for the victim. Contraband in Prison and Previous Offences
Martin Reilly, 44, originally of Inverkeithing, was sentenced to five months in prison for possessing a prohibited SIM card within HMP Perth on July 9th, 2022. This sentence will run concurrently with a previous 21-month sentence Reilly received in March for separate offences. His solicitor cited Reilly’s PTSD as a contributing factor. It was mentioned that Reilly had previously served a four-and-a-half year sentence for a dangerous driving incident in Kinross where he struck a pedestrian twice with his vehicle, causing significant injury. Stalking Conviction
Following a trial at Perth Sheriff Court, 76-year-old former company director Michael Paton was convicted of stalking a woman in Perth. Paton denied the accusation, claiming his actions were merely “overly enthusiastic.” Sheriff Hall, however, underscored the principle of consent, stating “no means no,” and found Paton guilty. This verdict delivered a strong message against unwanted pursuits and harassment within the local community.