Sheriff's warning to 'lock up' Thurso woman who missed social work appointment
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A Thurso woman will find herself behind bars if she doesn't co-operate with social workers preparing her background report.
Sheriff Neil Wilson gave Bridie Nicolson the ultimatum at Wick last week after she was unable to explain why she failed to keep an appointment with them.
It prompted the sheriff to consider remanding the 22-year-old in order to guarantee the report would be completed.
However, he decided to give her a final chance – but warned her if she didn't take it, he would "lock her up".
Nicolson appeared at Wick Sheriff Court last week for a review of her catalogue of offences – unpaid work, deferred sentences on charges of police assault, threatening or abusive behaviour, and a breach of bail and reset.
Sheriff Neil Wilson was unable to deal with her case in the absence of the background report.
Solicitor Peter Malone told Sheriff Wilson that he had spoken to Nicolson, who could give "no good explanation" for missing the appointment.
He said: "I have stressed to her the importance of co-operating with this report otherwise she could find herself remanded."
Sheriff Wilson told Nicolson: "Social work made time to see you, their time is precious, and you don't turn up."
He continued: "The decision I have to make today is whether to allow you your liberty or lock you up so I can be sure of getting the report."
Nicolson began to say something to the sheriff but he told her not to interrupt him. Sheriff Wilson went on: "I am going to give you another chance. You will attend the next appointment and if you don't, you will be remanded. Do you understand?"
Nicolson - whose address during her offending was in Janet Street, Thurso, but was recently given as c/o Phillip Nicolson, South Erradale, Gairloch - replied: "Yes".
She will return to court on November 15.
