Biker teen terrified children

Ateenagerwho“terrified” a number of children by revving his motorbike near a primary school playpark has been banned from the road for eight months.

Sam Pearson, of Lerwick’s North Road, admitted at the town’s Sheriff Court on Thursday to driving the bike without due care or attention at Tingwall Primary School on October 20.

He drove into a children’s playground at excessive speed and depressed the vehicle’s accelerator while it was stationary.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 18-yearold engaged in a “brief act of breathtaking immaturity” as he showed off in front of his friends by spinning his wheels and creating smoke.

His behaviour left a number of children who were in the playground at the time “terrified”, with some running away in tears. They were aged between seven and 10.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client has attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder and sometimes “acts before he thinks”.

Sheriff Philip Mann disqualified him as well as fining him £300.

The sheriff also gave Pearson six penalty points andanotherfineof£150for using a car without insurance on April 30.

Mr Mackenzie said the teenagerwassitting inacar as it was being towed and was in essence steering it.

Mr A l l a n said the “banger” was being towed to a scrap yard and that his client had sought advice from police about how best to tow the vehicle. An ex-soldier from Argyll will learn later next month if he is to be released on bail from an Indian jail.

A hearing took place at the High Court in Madurai for Billy Irving of Connel, near Oban, and five others yesterday.

The men were jailed for five years earlier this year after being accused of carrying weapons into India illegally.

They are hoping to be released on bail while theyappeal their convictions.

Conditions in the prison at Chennai have been described as “horrendous” by their families. Speaking after hearing from the legal team about yesterday’s hearing, Yvonne MacHugh, fiancee of Mr Irving, said: “The public prosecutor didn’t show up this morning. The judge sent for him and luckily he was in a room next door. Theygothimin for the afternoon and they heard it all. They are going to make a decision about bail on October 19 and the appeal will start then too.

“I feel it is sad that I feel really happy about this, because it actually went ahead. It is the first time in eight months something actually happened. We still need the government to push for this because when the decision is made on October 19weneedthemto get out.”

The men were arrested on the anti-piracy ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio on October 12, 2013. They were working for the American firm AdvanFort providing anti-piracy protection in the Indian Ocean when their ship was detained.