OBAN MAN WITH KIDNAPPING RECORD AWAITING SENTENCE FOR THREATENING BEHAVIOR
A man named Adrian-Ioan Bota, aged 45, who was due to be sentenced in Oban for causing fear, alarm, and threats of violence on the Isle of Colonsay has had his sentencing postponed pending a report.Bota, who resides with no fixed address, had earlier pleaded guilty to threatening behavior towards his partner, including shouting, swearing, and smashing objects on August 6, 2024.
During the case review, Sheriff Euan Cameron discovered Bota's prior criminal history, revealing he served two years in a Romanian prison for kidnapping, of which he served 14 months.
Sheriff Cameron expressed his concern after reviewing the case, stating, “I looked at the papers last night and I had not taken into account that Mr Bota was sentenced to two years for kidnapping in Romania.
He served 14 months in prison.
I did not appreciate his previous conviction.” Consequently, he requested a criminal justice social work report before sentencing.
Defense attorney Jane MacNiven confirmed Bota would comply with court requests, noting he lives near Oban, making attendance feasible.
The case is scheduled to return to court on May 14, with bail continued.
The original incident involved Bota behaving threateningly at the Colonsay Hotel, which he admitted, and the court was initially set to review his case for good behavior, although the discovery of his previous kidnapping conviction has influenced the proceedings.
