Lochaber man breached bail conditions

A 24-YEAR- OLD Lochaber man has been told it is up to him to keep himself out of jail.

David Paul O’Hara had previously admitted threatening and abusive behaviour, resisting, obstructing and hindering the police in the execution of their duty, by struggling, and possessing cannabis. He appeared at Fort William Sheriff Court for sentencing but he also appeared from custody for breaching the bail granted for the offences which he committed on May 11.

Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald was told on Monday that O’Hara had not told a friend that he had said his friend’s home would be his bail address; the friend objected and told the police. O’Hara now has a new address at An Aird.

The sheriff also heard that the same friend had been with O’Hara and had been trying to calm him down when he committed the offences outside his mother’s home in Lochaber.

O’Hara had been intoxicated when the trouble occurred and was shouting and swearing abuse outside his mother’s home.

‘He struggled with the police, tried to run away, broke free, ran away again and fell over. He was put in handcuffs,’ said procurator fiscal Martine Eastwood. The cannabis was found in the pocket of his jeans.

The matter had previously been adjourned for a report to be prepared on O’Hara, prior to his sentencing.

O’Hara’s defence agent, Hamish Melrose, said his client had been living at various addresses around the Fort William area, ‘sofa surfing’.

‘He is trying to find work. He has two interviews and is trying to better himself and get his life sorted out.

‘He is adamant he would be willing to co- operate and engage if given the opportunity here.’

Sheriff MacDonald imposed a community payback order of a year’s supervision and 110 hours of unpaid work to be completed within the next six months, with a review of the order on August 15.

Sheriff MacDonald pointed out that O’Hara had failed to complete payback orders before. She said: ‘It is up to you, Mr O’Hara.’