Sentence deferred on Buckie drug addict who went on summer crime spree

A BUCKIE drug addict who went on a summer crime spree involving alcohol theft and domestic abuse of his partner will be assessed for a drug treatment and testing order.

James Blain, of Wallace Avenue, Buckie appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court having previously admitted a total of nine charges, including three of shoplifting, two of threatening behaviour, two of breaches of bail and one each of assault to injury and possession of cocaine.

The case was deferred for a background report and defence solicitor Stephen Carty said a drug treatment and testing order was being recommended.

Sheriff Sara Matheson agreed to defer further for the assessment to be done and released Blain on bail until February 14.

The Sheriff heard at an earlier hearing that Blain stole alcohol from two Co-op shops, one in Lossiemouth and one in Fochabers, on June 4, June 10 and August 5, 2021.

Fiscal depute David Morton said the haul totalled £736 and was mostly whisky, amongst other items.

The court was told that on June 12, 2021 he had an argument with his partner of five weeks after they had moved in together to a property in Fochabers.

He shouted and swore at her, spat at her, kicked her on the body before throwing a wifi router at her.

"He then went into the dining room and tipped up a glass table, smashing it," Mr Morton went on.

The prosecutor told the court that on being arrested and searched, Blain volunteered to police that he was in possession of a wrap of cocaine.

Mr Morton then went on to describe how Blain again shouted and swore at his partner on September 12, hurling insults and uttering derogatory terms before throwing a bag at her vehicle as she entered it.

It was the second time he had breached bail conditions imposed after the June 12 incident, not to be in her company or enter Fochabers, the first being on August 14