Sheriff warns Ross-shire teenager he will be locked up if he offends again before sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court
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A Ross-shire teenager got a stiff warning from a Sheriff he faced a long period of detention after he admitted taking and driving away three motor vehicles and attempting to drive a bus.
But Sheriff Margaret Neilson agreed to defence solicitor Patrick O'Dea's plea to first get a psychological report on his 18 year old client, David Fontes, before making a final decision.
Mr O'Dea said he was concerned about Fontes (18) who went on a crime spree in Ullapool for the entire year, "hot-wiring" a car to drive over 100 miles to Keith and a motor cycle and attempting to start a bus parked at the Ferry car park. This was despite already having been arrested and released on a careless driving charge.
The Sheriff told Fontes of Seaforth Road at Inverness Sheriff Court: "You seem to think this is a bit of a joke. You obviously have not learned your lesson. Do you want to go to a young offender's institution? Driving to Keith without a licence and insurance, you could have killed someone.
"And at the height of the current pandemic, I can't believe that anyone would be happy that you had been in their car."
Mr O'Dea told the court: "I am at a loss why he would carry out these offences. It seems he can cope with life but then he goes into this mode and no-one can fathom why. There is something going on and that is why a psychological report would be helpful."
Sentence was deferred until March 4 with the Sheriff warning Fontes that if he offended in the interim, he would more than likely be remanded for a custodial sentence.
Fontes admitted driving carelessly by doing "donuts" in Latheron car park on December 29, 2019. (creating circular skid marks by spinning the car).
He also pleaded guilty to attempting to take and drive away a bus from Latheron car park the day after.
Then between January 1 and January 2 , 2020 he took and drove away a car from North Road. Police arrested him for this offence.
Fontes then took and drove away a motor cycle from Morefield Crescent on March 21, 2020 and a car from the Morefield Hotel on November 10, 2020.
He had no licence or insurance. After being charged by police, he made flippant remarks to officers like: "These were fun times."
