'Time to grow up,' sheriff tells Wick offender
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A sheriff gave a young repeat offender due to make a fresh start away from Wick a few home truths.
Sheriff Andrew Berry told Ross Baxter that he had to "grow up" and "stop blaming everyone else" for his problems if he was to make a success of the move.
The 20-year-old previously admitted a charge of assault by punching two sisters who were trying to help him after they found him in a drink or drug-fuelling state in a Wick street on September 7.
He also breached a bail order not long after it was imposed.
Solicitor Natalie Paterson told the town's sheriff court on Wednesday that Baxter intended flitting to Cowdenbeath to "make a fresh start".
Sheriff Berry, who saw a background report, pulled no punches when gave Baxter some farewell advice.
The sheriff told the accused: "It is quite clear, and it is something I have known for some time, that you don't think that you have ever done anything wrong. You blame everyone else... the lawyers, the court, the people you mix with who use drugs, and the people you buy drugs from, in their chaotic lifestyle.
"It is highly likely that until you grasp that, you will come to an end through your abuse of drugs, or you are going to continue to commit crime and end up spending years of your life in prison. These are the only two options open to you at the moment, unless you grow up."
Sheriff Berry described Baxter's bail breach as 'ridiculous', occurring a week after he was released from custody.
The court heard that Francis Watt and her sister Priscilla got an unexpected reaction when they tried to help Baxter in his home street Cairndhuna Terrace, Wick. The accused lashed out at them, punching both of them.
Fiscal David Barclay said: "The accused's demeanor indicated that he was heavily under the influence of something or other. The sisters had a legitimate concern for his health."
Baxter was said to have had little recollection of the night's events.
Sheriff Berry ordered Baxter to carry out 75 hours of unpaid community work for the assault and warned him: "You know what will happen if you don't complete the order. I expect Polmont (young offenders centre) has a revolving door with your name on it."
The sheriff, who admonished Baxter on the bail breach, added: "You need to regard this as a fresh start."
The accused indicated that it was.
