BERNARD GARTLAND FROM BIXTER, SHETLAND, SENTENCED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND HARASSMENT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bixter, Shetland, Bernard Gartland, aged 33, has been found guilty of a prolonged pattern of domestic abuse and harassment directed at his former partner. The incident, which spanned over five years, culminated in a court hearing at Lerwick Sheriff Court where Gartland was sentenced to a community payback order and other penalties.

Details emerged during the court proceedings revealing that Gartland, originally from Bixter, had subjected his partner to relentless emotional and verbal abuse. His actions included bombarding her with incessant phone calls, text messages, and demands to know her whereabouts. The Procurator Fiscal Duncan MacKenzie described how Gartland repeatedly accused his partner of infidelity, shouting, swearing, and behaving aggressively towards her. The relationship, which began in 2019, quickly devolved into a controlling and abusive dynamic, taking a severe toll on the mental health of the complainant, who reported feeling anxious, isolated, and depressed.

Despite the couple's separation, Gartland continued to harass his partner from afar. After returning to the Republic of Ireland, he persisted in calling her constantly while she remained in Lerwick. The situation escalated around Christmas 2019, with the relationship described as “on-off” by the fiscal. When she discovered she was pregnant early in the new year, she decided to give their relationship another chance, hoping that Gartland’s behavior would improve. Unfortunately, the abuse intensified. On one occasion, he woke her up demanding money for drugs, which left her upset and in tears. She called her aunt in Shetland, who advised her to come home. As she prepared to leave, Gartland reportedly told her he hoped “the boat sinks.”

Even after their separation, the abusive pattern persisted. Gartland continued to send offensive messages, some so extreme that the fiscal chose not to read them aloud in court. The situation worsened when Gartland returned to Shetland from Ireland to be closer to his son, but the abusive behavior did not cease. During parental visits, he would sometimes behave aggressively. In April 2024, Gartland arrived at her home and, in a fit of frustration, dropped his keys down the drain, swearing and flailing his arms while demanding a shovel from her neighbor’s garden. The victim, feeling terrified, complied with his demands. On another occasion, Gartland, in a bad mood, threw their son’s hat at her head, causing her to feel shocked, scared, and tearful. She sought help from Shetland Women’s Aid and subsequently reported Gartland to the police in September of the previous year.

During the court hearing, defence solicitor Tommy Allan acknowledged Gartland’s remorse and expressed his client’s desire to apologize. He explained that Gartland had been under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the abusive messages, which he described as impulsive acts driven by bouts of anger. Allan emphasized that Gartland was a hardworking man leading a simple life and that he had not been allowed to see his son since his arrest, expressing a desire to be involved in his child’s life. The solicitor also noted that Gartland recognized the seriousness of his actions and was aware that his conduct would be scrutinized.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank, in delivering the sentence, acknowledged that this was Gartland’s first offence and credited him for his early guilty plea. However, he emphasized that the lengthy period over which the abuse occurred, coupled with the nature of the messages, warranted a firm response. The sheriff described the messages as “abusive and extremely hurtful,” highlighting the profound impact such behavior can have on victims. As a result, Gartland was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was placed under a two-year non-harassment order, which restricts him from making contact with his former partner except through a third party regarding their child. The court’s decision aimed to balance justice with the need to protect the victim from further harm.