There were a number of Highland court cases recently, ranging from drug offences to car chases and sex crimes.
Here’s our recap of some of the cases that made the headlines.
Merseyside county lines ‘controller’ is jailed for almost four years for drugs supply in Inverness
A 29-year-old Huyton man has been jailed for three years and nine months for drugs supply offences in Inverness after he was snared by a joint Police Scotland and Merseyside Police operation..
Ryan Finlay pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of cannabis through what is called a County Line – a way of transporting illegal narcotics from cities to other parts of the UK.
The joint investigation by the two forces into the County Line running between Liverpool and Inverness revealed that Finlay was the controller and even posted drugs to Inverness.
Read more here.
Birmingham man jailed for headbutting female pub employee at Blacksmiths in Inverness
A Birmingham man has been jailed after headbutting a woman who was working in an Inverness pub.
Shaun McGeough (32), of Winchester Road, carried out the drunken assault on the staff member at Blacksmiths pub in Culloden on January 6, 2024 after going out for drinks with his partner.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that after being asked to leave, McGeough became aggressive to a female member of staff, headbutting her, and grabbing her by her arm.
Read more here.
Leicester man banned from Scotland led police on high-speed chase in Inverness ending in multiple collisions at Millburn Roundabout
A Leicester man currently serving a jail sentence for drug dealing was involved in a high-speed chase through Inverness after police stopped his car because the driver was prohibited from being in Scotland.
Joshua Quartey (25), of East Bond Street, appeared by video link at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted several road traffic offences which were committed on April 5, 2022 while he was on bail to stay out of the country.
Inverness rapist jailed at the High Court in Edinburgh after attacking females in Inverness, Aviemore and Aberdeen
A sex predator who left women suffering from the impact of his violence and abuse on them has been jailed for more than seven years.
Andrew Hughes subjected one woman to indecent assault and repeated rape and physically attacked and threatened a second victim.
A judge told Hughes (38) at the High Court in Edinburgh that his behaviour had resulted in serious and long lasting physical and emotional impact for victims.
Lady Hood said that given the nature and seriousness of his offending the only appropriate way of dealing with him was by imposing a sentence of imprisonment.
Read more here.
Inverness man bit off part of Buckie man’s nose during struggle
Police recovered a piece of a man’s nose from his garden after being called to deal with a disturbance involving two men.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that 20-year-old Thomas Stewart, of Longman Caravan Site, Inverness fought with Buckie man Colin Reid at his property in Milton Drive, Buckie on September 1, 2023 and bit part of his nose off during the struggle.
Stewart appeared before Sheriff Sara Matheson represented by Inverness solicitor David Patterson and admitted assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement. He had sentence deferred for a background report until February 18.
Read more here.
Scotmid targeted by teenager who broke curfew to steal booze
A teenager who stole alcohol from a local shop will be sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court next month.
Liam Stewart, of Blair Grove, Inverness appeared before Sheriff Gary Aitken and pleaded guilty to theft by shoplifting from the Scotmid store in Glenurquhart Road on March 2, 2024.
He was also on a curfew at the time and admitted he breached that bail condition.
Read more here.