Man who boarded vessel with knife at Scrabster avoids jail

A Thurso man who tackled a visiting fishing crew he believed had stolen his wallet has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

James Forde (52) was under the influence of drink when he climbed on board the foreign vessel, Mareixon, in Scrabster harbour, in the early hours of August 8 and confronted crew members, shouting and swearing and brandishing a knife.

David Barclay told Wick Sheriff Court that the crew didn't speak a word of English and were unable to enter into "any meaningful dialogue" with the accused.

The fiscal added that Forde, of Naver Court, Pennyland, Thurso, was unable to get any response from the fishermen and left. The matter was reported to the police who traced Forde and found he had two knives in his possession.

He admitted threatening or abusive behaviour and possession of the knives which were ordered to be forfeited.

The accused thought that one of the crew had taken his wallet when they were in the local pub earlier but they were not responsible as the item was subsequently found.

Sheriff Neil Wilson described Forde's actions as 'foolish' and said he would have been justified in jailing him. However, the accused was addressing his problem with alcohol and a custodial sentence was not required.