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Man with 'complete disregard for authority' locked up after failing to complete work order


By Court Reporter

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A young man who scorned a chance a sheriff gave him has been sentenced to four months detention.

Zachary Hutson was ordered in January to carry out 60 hours unpaid community work, but made little or no progress with it, Wick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday.

Sheriff Andrew Berry described Hutson as having “a complete disregard for anyone and everything in authority”.

Sheriff Andrew Berry.
Sheriff Andrew Berry.

The 20-year-old previously admitted racially abusing police officers at a house in Murkle Terrace, Thurso.

It happened after Constables Stephen Mezals and Thomas Staples were called to the property on November 7, 2019.

Fiscal David Barclay said that Hutson reacted badly to their presence. He continued: “The abuse can best be explained as mainly indiscernible but one comment was clearly heard on a number of occasions – “English c***s” – giving rise to the racially-aggravated nature of the charge. It is not entirely clear whether alcohol affected his behaviour.”

Solicitor Fiona MacDonald described Hutson’s conduct as “completely unacceptable” and tendered his apologies and added: "He realises he has to address his long-term difficulties.”

Sheriff Berry referred to a background report which detailed the accused’s lack of respect for those in authority and took him to task, saying: “You are not even wearing your face mask properly in a public place, which could have a detrimental effect on people around you.”

The sheriff said that the author of the background report made the point that Hutson, of The Chez, Barrock, had breached the order and predicted he would embark on further offending.

Sheriff Berry added: “You failed to co-operate with the preparation of the report and I wondered if a drug-testing order might be appropriate, but you were not interested in that.”

The sheriff revoked the work order and imposed the custodial term.


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