WEEKLY COURT ROUND-UP: Knife possession in Ardersier, Inverness city bar staff assault, store thefts and 12 years for domestic and sexual abuser

It was another busy week for Inverness Sheriff Court with a number of cases covered by the Inverness Courier.

Here are a few to hit the headlines.

Co-op staff in Nairn alarmed as Ardersier teen had knife

Staff at a Nairn supermarket were alarmed when a knife dropped out of a customer's clothing as he bent down to grab a plastic bag.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that 19-year-old Ossian MacLellan, of Stuart Avenue, Ardersier picked the blade up and placed it up his sleeve before leaving.

MacLellan previously admitted possessing a knife in a public place, namely the Co-op in the town's High Street on April 20 last year and sentence was deferred for a background report.

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Wetherspoons staff assaulted at Inverness bar

A 44-year-old Inverness man who assaulted two members of staff in a city bar was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Barry Hunter, of Drumossie Road, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Neil Wilson, at Inverness Sheriff Court, after previously admitting the assaults committed in the King's Highway/Wetherspoons in Church Street on May 1 last year.

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Sex offender (55) sentenced at High Court in Inverness to 12 years in prison after victims subject to years of ‘horrific’ offending

A 55-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the domestic and sexual abuse of two women.

Robert Mackinnon Stirling was sentenced at the High Court in Inverness on Wednesday.

He was also given a lifetime non-harassment order in respect of the victims and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

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Superdrug and Dunelm in Inverness targeted by Aberdeen woman

An Aberdeen woman who came to Inverness and stole goods worth over £400 from two city stores with the help of an accomplice last year has been fined a total of £520.

Lisa Smith (49), of Holland Street, pleaded guilty to the theft of £122 worth of fragrances from Superdrug in Eastfield Way on November 20 and stealing £300 of bedding four days later from Dunelm.

Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Inverness Sheriff Court there was no recovery.

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Inverness man had dozens indecent images of young girls

A 34-year-old Inverness man who lived "an isolated existence" downloaded and viewed photographs and videos of an indecent nature involving children has had severe restrictions placed on his use of the internet and enabled devices.

Philip Bruce, of Kenneth Place, was appearing for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court after sentence had previously been deferred for a background report and a re-education and rehabilitation programme assessment.

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