Serial shoplifter sent to jail
A persistent Perth shoplifter was caught red-handed stealing watches from a city centre store.
But as an employee tried to stop 30-year-old Khai Ghekis from leaving the premises, she lashed out at him, repeatedly punching him on the face.
And when she was being led to a police van, she again became aggressive and kicked an officer on the leg.
The incidents led to the accused, of High Street, being jailed for a total of 16 months at Perth Sheriff Court.
She admitted stealing a quantity of watches and a bottle of perfume from Debenhams on July 19, while subject to two bail orders.
She also admitted attacking David McGill in the store and then assaulting PC Scott Birrell in High Street.
Ghekis also stole a quantity of beauty products from Sally’s, in the St John’s Centre, Perth, on June 16.
Depute fiscal Tina Dickie said Ghekis was spotted in the store’s men’s department about 5pm.
She was seen taking watches from their display boxes and putting them onto her wrist and into her pocket.
She denied having taken the items and tried to leave the store.
“Mr McGill tried to stop her and he took hold of her arms to guide her to the side of the store.
“She then broke free and assaulted Mr McGill by punching him on the face,” the court heard.
After calming down, the accused handed over three watches - two valued at £35 each and another worth £30 - as well as a bottle of perfume.
Police attended shortly afterwards but Ghekis then kicked out at one of the arresting officers, striking him to the chest.
He wasn’t injured but the store employee had reddening to his face and left eye.
Solicitor Linda Clark said there was a “certain hopelessness and helplessness” about a background report on her client.
“There are matters she has disclosed that she doesn’t wish to address in a public forum.”
In addition to that, her methadone programme had also been disrupted.
Imposing the jail sentence, backdated to July 20, Sheriff Gillian Wade said Ghekis had been warned previously what would happen if she offended again.
A Community Payback Order which the accused is currently undertaking has been allowed to continue and will be reviewed on April 11, when she is freed from her jail term.
Police discovered an empty wine bottle in the back of the car and she immediately told officers: “I’ve been drinking tonight.”
She failed a roadside breath test and later checks revealed she had been behind the wheel with almost FIVE times the legal alcohol limit.
Williamson paid the penalty when she was fined £1500 and disqualified for 30 months.
She admitted driving on the PerthBallinluig road on April 16 with 105 microgrammes of alcohol on her breath. The maximum allowed is 22. Depute fiscal Jennifer Johnson said the accused’s vehicle was seen “swerving all over the road and, at times, entering the opposing carriageway” shortly after 7pm.
“Other traffic had to slow down to avoid a collision,” she explained.
Despite the other driver attempting to get Williamson’s attention, she didn’t “react.”
“He followed her for numerous miles attempting to attract her attention but to no avail.”
He turned off towards Ballinluig and the accused did the same.
At that point she rolled down her window and said something to him but he couldn’t hear.
His partner shouted to her to strop and get out of the car.
“The window was still open and she removed the keys from the ignition,” added the fiscal.
“There was a strong smell of alcohol coming from her.”
Solicitor David Holmes said the accused, who looks after her elderly parents, was said to be at “low risk” of re-offending.
“She has profound regret at her behaviour and apologises to the court.
“She’s really shocked at what happened.”
Imposing the fine and ban, Sheriff William Wood pointed out: “The A9 is a road notorious for the number of serious accidents.”
A first offender, she had the disqualification backdated to July 6, when an interim ban had been imposed. and bricks were scattered around the vehicle and officers formed the opinion they had been used to cause the damage.”
Warden had run off but later emerged from a house in Bowton Road armed with a wooden drawer from a chest of drawers.
He ran into the middle of the road, swearing at officers.
“He shouted at them not to come near him,” added the fiscal.
He also said: ‘I’ll slit your throat’ and made the bite threat.
Warden was told he had “narrowly” escaped a prison sentence.
Instead, he will have to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and will be supervised by a social worker for 12 months.
He will also have to attend a Positive Relationships Programme and undertake alcohol counselling.
A review of his progress will take place on November 13 after he admitted repeatedly shouting and swearing and making threats to his partner at 21 Curate Wynd on June 18.
He repeatedly struck her car and then assaulted her by pushing her to the ground in Bowton Road.
He also pled guilty to a fourth charge of making violent threats to the police, again in Bowton Road.
Ms Gillespie said when Warden was arrested he was described as “agitated and not fit for interview because of his behaviour.”
He said he had taken valium and was driven to PRI.
Solicitor David Holmes said his client had a “complex history”
He had subsequently visited all of his neighbours and apologised for his behaviour.
The damage to his girlfriend’s car had been covered by her insurance.
Imposing the Community Payback Order, the sheriff told Warden: “You should be under no doubt you have narrowly escaped prison.” for pre-arranged appointments with their solicitor or the social work department, and have been warned not to contact the OAPs. forecourt and shouted at a female member of staff, blaming her for him losing his job.
His behaviour led to a Community Payback Order being imposed when he appeared for sentence.
He was ordered to carry out 75 hours of unpaid work within the next three months after he admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Jack Dorris at the depot on September 8 last year.
Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall said Mr Dorris was working as a cleaner when he looked up and saw the accused.
McKay then shouted: “What the f*** are you looking at?”
He ignored the remark but the accused turned his attention the female employee.
McKay then threatened to assault Mr Dorris, pulling his arm back as if he was going to punch him.
“He was asked to leave the premises by other members of staff and the police were contacted,” added the fiscal.
Solicitor David Holmes said he had been “disappointed” at being made redundant and subsequently regretted his actions.