Man Bailed After Breaching Community Payback Order for Abuse

A 27-year-old man has been granted bail after breaching a community payback order imposed for threatening behaviour towards police. Thomas Drever, from Ladies Drive, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday to admit his breach of the order, which required him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and be under supervision for one year following his conviction in May.

The incident that led to Drever’s sentence occurred on October 27, 2022. During this event, he displayed a threatening and abusive manner towards police officers. According to court proceedings, Drever ignored repeated calls from officers to stop and continued walking away, which ultimately resulted in his arrest. He was reported to have shouted obscenities at the officers, some of which were aggravated by prejudice related to disability.

In a further display of aggression, Drever resisted arrest by bracing his legs to prevent entry into a police vehicle. Once inside, he reportedly kicked and butted the interior of the van and spat on the floor. His disruptive behaviour continued at the police station, where officers had to restrain his legs for safety.

In addition to the community payback order, Drever had previously pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, with the street value estimated between £70 and £100.

During the court session on Thursday, honorary Sheriff Eric Peterson raised concerns about whether Drever should remain in custody. The defence attorney, Tommy Allan, requested that his client be released on bail until his next court appearance scheduled for March 20, 2024. Allan argued that it was in Drever’s best interest to attend court and emphasized that “the ball is in his court.”

Sheriff Peterson agreed that it was reasonable to grant bail, provided that Drever would cooperate. Consequently, he was released on bail until the upcoming court date. This decision allows Drever the opportunity to demonstrate compliance with the court’s order and manage the conditions of his release.