Wick kids terrorised with 'Wolverine' threat
TWO Wick schoolchildren told a jury at Tain Sheriff Court how they were terrorised by a man who threatened to turn into the Incredible Hulk, cut their throats and burn their houses down.
The children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were giving evidence by a CCTV link this week.
James Mackay (43), described as a prisoner in Inverness, denied that on May 13 in a lane between Nicolson Street and Roxburgh Road, Wick, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner, shouted and swore at the children, aged 11 and six, threatened violence towards them, to set his dog on them, burn down their homes and committed a breach of the peace.
But he was found guilty yesterday and his case was adjourned for reports until Tuesday, September 13.
On Monday, Sheriff John Halley, depute fiscal Alastair Macdonald and defence solicitor Neil Wilson removed their gowns as they took evidence from the youngsters who told the court they were pals and often met up to go to school. The six-year-old said Mackay had a "husky"-type dog.
He claimed Mackay, who has long hair and a pony tail and was known to them both as "Jimbo", was at the corner of Nicolson Street and Roxburgh Road when they met him.
"He came up and said he would turn into the Incredible Hulk. He said he would take our throats out and put our houses on fire and set his dog on us."
The boy also claimed Mackay threatened to throw them in the river.
Cross-examined by Mr Wilson the boy denied his pal had been cheeky to Mackay, calling him Jesus.
"Jimbo was swearing and saying bad words."
The older boy said Mackay threatened to smash them into pieces and he would turn into Wolverine and the Incredible Hulk. He said he would slice open their throats and crush their houses.
"Were you teasing Jimbo that he looked like Jesus?" asked Mr Wilson.
"No," the boy replied.
Asked if it was not simply the case he was teasing Jimbo and he simply told them both to go away, the boy again replied: "No."
Another witness, Amanda McPhee (39), who was dropping her child off at school, said she saw the two little boys and Mackay was shouting and roaring at them,
She said she heard Mackay shout: "I’ll cut your throats and hang you from the roof of the shop you little b*******. I’ll f****** kill you."
Ms McPhee added: "They stood against the wall. They wouldn’t move."
She said the incident lasted about 10 minutes.
Mr Wilson asked if it was not the case it was over in a matter of seconds and Mackay had simply told the boys to "f*** off."
"No," she replied.
Mackay was refused bail.