Thief facing extra days in prison after abusing sheriff

A man is to be reported to the procurator fiscal after he verbally abused a sheriff during a court case in Dundee.

Derek David Nicholson (39), of the city’s Ann Street, was due to be sentenced by the sheriff during the custody court on Thursday. However, when he appeared in the dock he repeatedly swore at him.

Sheriff George Way told him repeatedly he faced another 90 days in prison for contempt of court, but he failed to stop and the sheriff ordered security staff to take him to the cells.

Nicholson had previously admitted that on December 22 2011 at Marks & Spencer, Murraygate, he stole three joints of meat, shouted and swore at two members of staff and assaulted them by throwing a chair at them, all while on bail.

He also admitted another complaint that, on October 5 2011 at Marks & Spencer, he stole meat.

Sheriff Way said: ”I will be making a complaint to the procurator fiscal’s office as his behaviour goes far beyond anything I can deal with.”

He sentenced him to a total of 17 months in jail for the previous offences.