Shoplifter banned from Falcon Square in Inverness for kicking skateboard stunt duo's camera
A shoplifter was given a chance to stay out of jail when she appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court on a total of 11 different offences committed since February this year.
Rhiannon Stewart, of no fixed abode but previously living in Smithton, had previously pleaded guilty to the charges and because she was 20 years old, the court required a background report.
She had admitted stealing £29.60 worth of goods from Marks and Spencer on September 2 and had been remanded in custody thereafter.
But prior to that, Stewart had stolen a £4.99 bottle of wine from Home Bargains, two cans of Dragon’s Soup from Station News in Farraline Park and threatening behaviour towards Tesco Inshes staff who saw her pulling wine from a shelf and demanded she put it back.
Stewart also defied two bail orders and two police undertakings not to be in Falcon Square.
Fiscal depute Victoria Silver told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald that Stewart had been banned from entering Falcon Square after assaulting two skateboarders there on February 7 and maliciously damaging a £500 camera. It was being used to film the pair’s stunts and she kicked it after being refused a try on one of the skateboards.
She had been drinking, Ms Silver added.
Defence solicitor David Patterson said: “It is clear from the report that she has not had the best starts to life and has been mixing with negative influences. She had never come to the attention of the police before until February and her conduct has escalated since then.
“It was childish behaviour in Falcon Square and since the police involvement, she had been kicked out by her mother and living a transient lifestyle which led to her drinking.
“Social workers want her to do well and are trying to get her stable accommodation.”
Sheriff Macdonald took a lenient view on Stewart by placing her under a year’s supervision so social workers can continue working with her. She also fined her a modest £50 for one of the shoplifting offences as the sheriff deemed that her periods on remand for the offences were sufficient punishment.
But she warned Stewart: “If you keep shoplifting, you will be going back to jail.”
