STEPHEN WALTERSON SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ASSAULT AND THREATENING WITH HAMMER IN LERWICK

In November 2019, a serious incident unfolded on the streets of Lerwick involving Stephen Walterson, a resident of Sandveien, who committed a violent assault against his former partner. The incident took place on Bruce Crescent, a well-known street in Lerwick, and resulted in Walterson being sentenced to a 12-month prison term for his actions.

Walterson appeared before the sheriff court in Lerwick on a Wednesday, where Sheriff Ian Cruickshank delivered a stern message emphasizing the importance of deterring domestic abuse. The sheriff expressed hope that the custodial sentence would serve as a clear warning to others, underscoring that premeditated domestic violence would not be tolerated within the community.

The court heard that Walterson, aged 51, had previously admitted to assaulting his ex-partner on February 27. The assault left the woman injured, and Walterson also pleaded guilty to threatening her with a hammer during the confrontation. The incident was characterized by aggressive behavior, with Walterson brandishing the weapon in a threatening manner.

Prosecutor Duncan Mackenzie provided details of the events leading up to the assault. He explained that around 6 pm, Walterson had confided in someone that he might do something harmful to the woman. When questioned about this threat, Walterson reportedly armed himself with a hammer, which he concealed in his clothing. Subsequently, he set out on foot to locate the woman, who had just left her house by chance.

According to court testimony, Walterson found the woman on the street and confronted her with hostile words, asking, “Do you want me to batter you now?” He then brandished the hammer at her, but a bystander intervened and managed to remove the weapon from his grasp. Despite this, Walterson’s aggression did not subside. He proceeded to assault the woman physically, pinning her against a wall and continuing to punch her in the head. The assault caused her to fall to the ground, yet Walterson persisted in his attack.

Witnesses and passersby played a crucial role in the incident. One motorist, noticing the assault, turned around to assist, while another member of the public caught Walterson’s attention, prompting him to leave the scene. The motorist who attempted to help then contacted the police. Officers arrived shortly afterward, finding Walterson on his way back to his home. The woman was subsequently taken to hospital by ambulance, suffering from swelling, bruising, cuts to her left eye, and bumps on her head.

After being apprehended by police, Walterson admitted to officers, “I’m the man you are looking for.” The prosecutor highlighted the severity of the injuries sustained by the woman, emphasizing that her physical trauma was overshadowed by the emotional distress caused by the incident.

Defense lawyer Tommy Allan acknowledged that there was little mitigation for Walterson’s actions. He stated, “There is not a great deal I can say in mitigation,” and emphasized that his client “carries the guilt with him every day” for the harm caused. Allan suggested that a community payback order might be considered as an alternative sentence, citing Walterson’s early plea and lack of a significant criminal record.

However, Sheriff Cruickshank described the offense as “incredibly serious” and expressed his belief that Walterson had left his house with the intent to cause “serious harm” to the woman. The sheriff concluded that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence, resulting in a 12-month prison term. Additionally, a five-year non-harassment order was granted, and the court approved a Crown motion for the forfeiture of the hammer involved in the assault.