Lairg man jailed for 28 months
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A KNIFE-WIELDING Lairg man, who attempted to stab another local man after entering his home uninvited, was today jailed for two years and four months.
Offshore worker Simon Skinner, Tynron, Manse Road, had been drinking in a local pub before he assaulted Darren Kelly twice at his home, 20 Clashbreac, on 10th September last year, Dornoch Sheriff Court heard.
Skinner first punched Kelly and was thrown out of the house, only to return ten minutes later armed with a kitchen knife.
The 34-year-old claimed to be concerned about the safety of a family friend, Stacey Sutherland (18), who was in the house at the time.
It was alleged in court that the occupants of 20 Clashbreac were rumoured in the village to be involved with drugs and providing drink to underage females.
Procurator fiscal Roderick Urquhart said Skinner, and his long-term partner, left the pub at 9.30pm on the day in question and began walking home. She went on ahead when he stopped to urinate.
Skinner then walked past 20 Clashbreac and spotted Stacey Sutherland in the house as well as a younger girl.
Mr Urquhart said Stacey had been at the time the girlfriend of Darren Kelly’s brother, Stefan Kelly.
"Skinner entered 20 Clashbreac uninvited and words were exchanged. He swung a punch which struck Darren Kelly on the face," said the fiscal.
"Neither Mr Kelly nor his two brothers, who were also in the house, knew Skinner and he had never been to their house before.
"The three brothers forcibly removed him from the house and locked the door behind him."
The fiscal added: "Like Cinderella, Skinner left his left shoe behind in the living room"
Ten minutes later Skinner returned, this time armed with a kitchen knife, and entered the Kelly home by an unlocked side door.
"Darren Kelly was in the hallway of the house when he saw Skinner come in. Skinner raised the knife and swung it down in the direction of Darren Kelly’s face," said the fiscal.
"His brother Stefan saw what was happening and grabbed Skinner by the arm, pinning him against the wall. The third brother came out to assist and a struggle ensued in the hallway and just outside the door.
"During the course of this, Stefan Kelly sustained two minor injuries to his hands. The three brothers again forcibly removed Skinner from the house, locked the side door and phoned the police."
Mr Urquhart said the injuries inflicted on Stefan Kelly did not prove to be serious. He had a one centimetre incision on the top of his right thumb, causing the skin to flap away, and a one centimetre incision to the knuckle of his left index finger.
Police later found Skinner in bed. A knife with blood on the handle was found in a knife block in his kitchen. It was later confirmed as identical to the one with which he had gone to the house.
Skinner, who appeared for sentencing at today’s court, had previously admitted the two assaults on Darren Kelly, one by punching him to the face and the other by stabbing him with a knife.
He had also pleaded guilty to a third charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by entering a dwelling place uninvited; brandishing a knife; and struggling with persons whereby Stefan Kelly was injured.
Sentence had been deferred for background reports.
Defence agent David Hingston told Monday’s court: "My client was drunk. He was walking home and he saw Stacey in the house.
"He was concerned because of a rumour in the village that the people in that house were trouble because, as he understood it, of an involvement with drugs and providing drink to underage females.
"Given that background, I can understand why he went in the first time. He wanted to check up on Stacey. He was also concerned that his own 16-year-old daughter, who was friendly with Stacey, might be there."
Mr Hingston said his client had returned to the house with a knife in order to give the brothers a "fright." It was not his intention to cause injury.
"This is a case where drink clearly played a significant part. He misunderstood what was happening in the house, although he felt he had some sort of duty and responsibility to Stacey.
"However she is 18 and it is not for him to determine who she should be with," said the lawyer.
"It is very difficult to explain why he chose to go back, having been thrown out and also having found out that his own daughter was not there."
Mr Hingston said Skinner was ashamed and embarrassed at his behaviour. He had since sought the help of a psychologist.
Passing sentence, Sheriff David Sutherland told Skinner: "Any behaviour like this runs the risk of a custodial sentence, particularly when one uses a knife.
"The courts have said again and again that the use of knives would be dealt with in a manner appropriate to the seriousness of the offence. I do not consider I can deal with this other than by the imposition of a custodial sentence."
