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'You were behaving like a child' – sheriff pulls up Wick man over his temper in court


By Court Reporter

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Sheriff Andrew Berry.
Sheriff Andrew Berry.

A sheriff took a Wick man to task for his angry reaction after an application to vary his bail conditions was refused.

Darren Coghill struck part of the dock before striding to the door of Wick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Before he got his hand on the doorknob he was ordered back by Sheriff Andrew Berry, who pulled Coghill up for his "display of temper".

That was disputed by the 30-year-old, but the sheriff was in no doubt.

Sheriff Berry insisted: "You were about to storm out because you didn't get what you wanted. You were behaving like a child."

Coghill interjected: "Excuse me, sir..."

Sheriff Berry said that social workers whom Coghill is due to meet in connection with the preparation of a background report would want to establish whether the accused had an issue with his temper.

The sheriff told Coghill: "The least of your troubles is not whether or not bail conditions are changed but whether or not you will go to prison on December 8 for your repeated misbehaving involving your domestic partners. All I need from you is this... do you understand what I have just said?"

Coghill (30) replied: "Yes," and the sheriff indicated he could now leave.

Before he disappeared, the sheriff added: "When I come to deal with this matter, I will remember how you have just behaved."

The bail conditions were imposed after Coghill appeared from custody and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour last month, outside his home in Loch Street, Wick, on October 8. He was banned from entering Loch Street and contacting his partner.

The court was told that the couple had been drinking over the weekend and that some "ill-feeling" developed. Coghill left the house and matters calmed down.

However, Coghill returned later but his partner refused to let him in. He reacted badly and began shouting and swearing and kicked the door, leaving a footprint on it. It was stated at that hearing that his partner didn't want Coghill back in the house and wished him to stay away.

Coghill will be sentenced on December 8 after the sheriff considers the background report. The accused is currently staying in Bonar Bridge.


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