Accused broke village exile

A Perth man was banned from entering Abernethy until after his trial on theft charges.

But 11 days after the bail condition was imposed, 41-year-old Ryan Williamson was found in a house in the village.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that police had been contacted by a Miss Townsley shortly before midnight.

She occupied a property at West Park, Abernethy, and wanted the accused to leave.

When officers arrived, he went quietly But when his details were checked, the bail condition came to light, explained depute fiscal Robbie Brown.

Williamson is set to face trial on August 7 on charges including theft from motor vehicles.

An earlier hearing has been scheduled for July 19.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis deferred sentence, initially to the July date, and freed the accused on bail.

But he told him: “Let me make this clear to you, if Miss Townsley had featured in any of the charges you were on bail for, I would have sentenced you to custody today – no question.”

And he added: “If there is any further allegation of breaching that bail condition by going to Abernethy – and if there is any further allegation of you committing any further offence – the chances of you walking out the door of this court as opposed to leaving in a G4S van are minimal.

“I am prepared, at this stage, to keep all options open.”