Two reappear in court over alleged Wick incident

Two men reappeared at Inverness Sheriff Court today but in private after a court appearance on a lesser charge on Monday.

Patrick Stewart (22), of Ord Road, Marybank, Ross-shire, and 23-year-old James Alexander, of Cliff Cottages, Papigoe, had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing wilful and reckless damage to a Wick house at the weekend.

However, Sheriff Gary Aitken criticised his former colleagues in the Procurator Fiscal Service for bringing the case before him at a lower level.

On Wednesday, 22-year-old Morgan Stubbings was brought back to court at Inverness on the more serious charge of attempted extortion involving the same alleged incident.

Today, Stewart and Alexander returned to court accused of a similar offence. Both made no plea and were committed for further examination.

Alexander was released on bail, while Stewart made no application to be released.

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