A Kirkcaldy woman stopped by police after driving erratically through the town while high on cocaine, heroin and Etizolam has been given 120 hours unpaid work and an 18-month ban.
Care industry worker Sarah Walkingshaw, 42, of Greenloanings in Kirkcaldy, admitted driving while unfit to do so through drink or drugs on May 16 last year.
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard witnesses called police after she was seen swerving her Ford Fiesta towards another vehicle and nearly crashing into it near Kirkcaldy West roundabout.
The court heard other motorists were “alarmed” as the car was seen “continually swerving” across Cluny Road a short time before this.
A roadside breath test provided a zero reading but a blood sample was later analysed and showed traces of a breakdown product of cocaine, as well as heroin and Etizolam.
Back on the Register
An elderly sex offender who was once caught molesting a horse has been ordered to carry out unpaid work for a sex assault at McDonald’s in Perth. William Nicoll admitted twice slapping a teenager’s bottom at the Dunkeld Road fast food restaurant. The 76-year-old was arrested for indecency in 2013 after he was seen with his hand up a horse’s backside.
Crime spree
Mark Thomson, 43, admitted running in front of traffic in Feus Road, Auchterarder and begging to be run over.
He appeared at Perth Sheriff Court by video link from HMP Edinburgh to admit behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in the Perthshire town on May 3 last year.
He ran in front of oncoming traffic and began shouting, swearing and acting aggressively, stating he wished to be run over and caused a driver to take evasive action.
He also struggled with a police constable there, injuring him and repeatedly made homophonic remarks.
Thomson also admitted a string of offences outside Perthshire.
On October 24, he admitted attacking his pregnant former partner in Main Street Aberfoyle, by pushing her onto a bed, pinning her down, trying to strangle her and brandishing a knife.
On the same date, at Clydebank Police Office, Thomson threatened to harm police officers and made a threatening gesture.
Sheriff Euan Duthie further remanded him and ordered reports ahead of sentencing on September 7.
Revenge porn
A Fife forklift driver sent his former partner an intimate photo of herself in a terrifying revenge porn attack. Krzysztof Sokolka told his victim she would not want the explicit picture to be “in space.”
Death in prison
A Fife man who once robbed a pensioner of her bag to make off with just £5 has died in prison.
Glenrothes man Michael Burza died behind bars in Perth last week.
In 2018 at Kingdom Shopping Centre, he left a 75-year-old woman terrified after stealing her purse, which contained just a £5 note and some loose change.
Last year, he asked a sheriff to jail him after being caught stealing snacks from a supermarket.
Told by a sheriff to calm down in the dock, he replied: “I can’t help it, I’ve had a s**t-load of caffeine.”
An investigation into his death will now take place.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “Michael Burza, 37, a prisoner from HMP Perth has died on August 4, 2022.
“Police Scotland have been advised and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
“A fatal accident inquiry will be held in due course.”
Racist remarks
A drunk Dunfermline man asked a black family of four if they were on holiday in the city and when they said they were only going to Tesco, told them: “There is f***ing Tesco in Nigeria.” Dean Clark, 41, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and uttering the racially offensive remarks in Bruce Street in August last year.
Ex-MP proceeds of crime hearing
A hearing to recover almost £25,000 ex-MP Natalie McGarry was postponed to await an appeal against her conviction.
McGarry, 41, from Inverkeithing, was jailed for two years at Glasgow Sheriff Court in June.
She was found guilty of taking £19,974 while treasurer of Women for Independence.
McGarry also embezzled further £4,661 while treasure, secretary and convener of the Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP.
McGarry – who denied the accusations – had been the MP for Glasgow East between 2015 and 2017.
A proceeds of crime hearing in which prosecutors are looking to recover the full amount was adjourned until October.
McGarry’s attendance was excused.
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