£24,000 windfall for youth centre extension

A Wick man who stabbed his faithful dog in a drunken frenzy avoided a jail sentence yesterday but was banned from keeping pets for life.

Sheriff Andrew Berry was told that there was no explanation as to why Alexander McPhee killed the collie-cross he “doted on” after a cider-fuelled marathon drinking binge, other than he had an attack of “the heebie-jeebies”.

Wick Sheriff Court was told the dog would have takenbetween10 to 15minutes to die.

McPhee, 44, previously admitted causing the dog unnecessary suffering by repeatedly stabbing it.

He was ordered to carry out 75 hours of unpaid work in the community and will be subject to a supervision order for a year.

In addition he was banned from keeping any pets for life.

The incident came to light after the accused went to a friend’s house late on September 2, and confessed to what he had done. The police were informed.

They discovered the dog’s blood-spattered body on a chair at McPhee’s home at 33 Cairndhuna Terrace, Wick. A vet who examined the remains found nine wounds.

Fiscal depute David Barclay said: “He indicated that he loved the dog and was upset by what he had done”.

Solicitor Jo McDonald said that McPhee doted on the dog which went everywhere with him, and on each occasion she had spoken to him he was full of remorse at what he had done but remembered nothing of the incident. McPhee had told her he hadnointention ofkeeping any pet ever again. Grants totalling £54,000 has been awarded to two Orkney groups through the Leader programme.

Hofn Youth Centre at Pierowall, Westray, will use their £24,000 windfall to build an extension to their main activity room. Meanwhile, the OrkneyDVDand Photography Project has been given a £ 30,000 boost. This will allow quality film footage of the area to bemadefor promotional purposes. Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Campbell Freeman stabbed a man who he believed had been spreading rumours about him.

It happened when Freeman paid John Goodbrand a visit one night at his home in Ormlie Road, Thurso.

Mrs Goodbrand told her husband who was at the door and, after he realised his visitor had a knife, tried to close it.

Freeman, 48, managed to open it enough to put his arm through and stabMr Goodbrand on his left hand.

Mrs Goodbrand telephoned police and Freeman, described as a prisoner at InvernessPrison, was arrested. Mr Goodbrandhadstitches in the cut which, hewastoldby medical staff, would leave a scar.

Solicitor George Mathers said Freeman claimed Mr Goodbrand had spread rumours that “something was going on" between the accused and Mrs Goodbrand and this had sparked the incident. The accused denied any involvement with her.

Freeman appeared from custody and admitted the assault, which occurred on June 30, and a record. Sentence was deferred until October 22 for reports.