A sex offender could face extra time behind bars after he was caught with an unauthorised SIM card at HMP Perth.
Reece Scobie, who was jailed for trying to form a nationwide paedophile ring, admitted having the contraband device on June 14, this year.
Perth Sheriff Court heard it was discovered during a routine search of his cell.
Fiscal depute Matthew Kerr said guards noticed the 28-year-old’s prison-issued mobile had been tampered with.
The SIM card had been fitted inside the phone.
Sheriff Robert Carr deferred sentence for background reports until October 19.
Scobie, who appeared via video link, was previously branded a serious danger to the public by a sheriff when he was locked up at Perth Sheriff Court in 2019.
He was jailed for two years and had a further five-year period of close monitoring put in place to safeguard the public when he is released from custody.
Scobie was caught trying to set up a network of the country’s worst paedophiles by writing to them in jail after reading press reports of their abhorrent crimes.
County lines dealer
A Birmingham-based county lines dealer will be monitored for the longest period available after being caught running a cocaine racket from a Dundee flat. Police found thousands of pounds worth of the Class-A drug when they raided the property being used by Abdul Moustapha on March 12 2020.
Towel-clad tyre-stabber
A Dundee woman who tried to stab her boyfriend’s tyres while wearing a towel has been spared imprisonment.
The then-teenager’s daylight attack came after she and her partner of around a year had a mid-morning argument.
After arguing with her boyfriend, Ali Carrick had been in the bath before heading outside.
She had lifted a four-to-six inch knife as she left and a Catterline Crescent neighbour, who had just finished work, saw her trying to stab her boyfriend’s Seat’s tyres, while still wearing a towel.
Her boyfriend came outside and said: “You’re being a psycho.”
Carrick, 20, previously pled guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in public and to acting in a threatening or abusive manner.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Gregor Murray placed her under supervision for a year and ordered her to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Nose biter
Dundee man Michael Etchells, 31, left his mother “permanently disfigured” after biting her on the nose after a drunken Boxing Day argument. He will be sentenced in October.
‘Deep trouble’
A Fife drink driver has been told she is in “deep trouble” after admitting being caught behind the wheel whilst more than two times over the limit.
Joanna August, of Bonnybank, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court to admit driving with 51 mics of alcohol in her system and an expired licence.
She was caught on the B939 between Strathkinness and Pitscottie on July 11 this year.
Sheriff Gregor Murray noted the 39-year-old’s analogous record and ordered reports.
“I’ll warn you at this time, you’re in deep trouble,” he said.
August is due back in court on October 26.
Pub assaults
An offshore worker who punched two women at a Cupar pub must pay compensation.
Gordon Docherty appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court to admit the assaults at the Walkers Tavern on January 29 this year.
Docherty, or Cupar Arms Hotel, represented himself and said: “Obviously it was outrageous behaviour.
“I can’t take away that people were hurt.”
He told Sheriff Gregor Murray he had apologised for the attacks.
Sheriff Murray ordered Docherty to pay one victim £500 in compensation and fined him a further £1,150.
