A man responsible for killing the family dog in a “psychotic” rage is still awaiting sentence.
Bradley Simpson, 24, stabbed Buddy the Alsatian in a barbaric assault in Dundee in April.
He has been behind bars almost every day since but his sentencing is being held up by issues with psychiatrist availability across Scotland.
Simpson’s fate has been delayed numerous times because of access to psychiatric experts not being available.
It was ruled he must wait a further four weeks to see if one becomes ready.
On his way from the court, Simpson – who claims he has been targeted in prison – again became audibly frustrated with the lack of action.
The remains of Buddy the German Shepherd were found burned and buried in a shallow grave in a public park after the horrific attack.
Simpson was remanded in custody after he admitted carrying out the killing at his family home in Dundee on April 1 this year.
He admitted causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering by repeatedly stabbing it with a screwdriver in the city’s Honeygreen Road and Linlathen Park.
Sheriff Rafferty deferred sentence for further reports until October 4.
No jail for neglect
Former Dundee health care worker Michelle Williamson, 36, was given unpaid work after admitting a child neglect charge. She had allowed a young teenager to live alone in a freezing, dirty house in the city over winter 2020/21. A sheriff said she had met the threshold for custody but imprisoning her would have an overly detrimental effect on her large family.
Brute jailed
A violent former soldier from Fife who left his ex-partner unconscious and with a ligature around her neck after a brutal assault was jailed for four and a half years. Paul McMullan was also told he would be under supervision for a further four years and could be returned to custody during that period if he breached licence conditions while in the community.
Compo for ‘cowardly’ attack
A 21-year-old who stole his former friend’s sense of taste in a “cowardly” attack in Perth has been ordered to pay his victim £1,000 compensation.
Ryan Ferguson attacked Darren Brown when he stepped off a bus at the city’s County Place.
Mr Brown needed nine stitches on his tongue, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Ferguson, who pled guilty to the assault in December, returned to the dock for sentencing.
Solicitor Linda Clark said her client had progressed well on the Right Track programme for young offenders.
“He has also obtained employment as a groundskeeper. Unfortunately, it is a zero hours contract.
“There has been a considerable shift in Mr Ferguson’s attitude and his level of maturity.”
Sheriff William Wood told Ferguson: “I have discussed before with you about what an appalling injury Mr Brown was left with following this attack.
“It is the sort of offence that could attract a prison sentence.
“But you have been given an opportunity by the court to turn your life around, and you have made considerable efforts towards that.
“For that you should be commended.”
The sheriff added: “But there still needs to be some kind of punishment.
“Because of your age I will deal with this by way of a community payback order, as a direct alternative to custody.”
As well as imposing a compensation order, Ferguson was placed on supervision for a year and ordered to carry out £150 hours of unpaid work.
The court previously heard Mr Brown was challenged to a fight by Ferguson, who then struck him on the back of the head.
The victim fell to the ground and bit hard on his tongue, which began bleeding heavily.
Caught by hunters
Glenrothes man Patrick Stanley has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register after sending explicit pictures to a paedophile hunter he believed was a schoolgirl. He will be sentenced next month after being snared by the online hunter group.
