Couple caught on Wick to Inverness train in scene compared to 'Jesse James-style' hold-up

A Wick woman's day trip with the partner she was banned from seeing was foiled by police, the town's sheriff court was told this week.

They intercepted Alicia Manson's 'getaway' train and caught the couple together. Sheriff Andrew Berry said it was a situation in which the officers could have compared to a "Jesse James-style" hold-up.

Manson (22) appeared from custody on Wednesday and admitted breaching a bail condition not to have any contact with her boyfriend Alexander Macalpine.

Fiscal David Barclay said that the police observed the couple both getting on the 6.30am Wick to Inverness train on Tuesday.

He continued: "The officers suspected, however, that they would meet up once the train was away from prying eyes, and intercepted the train at Georgemas Junction where they observed them sitting together in each other's company."

The fiscal said that Macalpine refused to engage with the police officers who were left in no doubt that he was complicit in the matter and that Manson, of Henrietta Street, Wick, was a willing party.

Mr Barclay stressed that it was the court that set the rules regarding bail conditions and not accused persons.

Solicitor Fiona MacDonald referred to Manson's early plea and suggested a good behaviour order or unpaid work as possible sentencing options.

Sheriff Berry told the accused: "Your behaviour was in complete defiance of a court order. If there is any repeat of it you will be going to prison."

Imposing a period of 60 hours' unpaid work on Manson, the sheriff added: "Don't go taking advice from Mr Macalpine about how you can get out of it... better to listen to me.

"I have no doubt it was his idea that you would go onto the train first and he would follow. With the police sitting there in the car park that was even more bizarre."