Attempting to groom a 15-year-old girl who was in care.

Man Sentenced for Grooming and Threatening Behaviour

A 25-year-old man, Ellis Birnie of Sandveien, has been sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid work for attempting to groom a 15-year-old girl in care and threatening a woman with a knife.

Birnie admitted to making indecent video communications with the girl between August 15 and September 4, 2023, and attempting to arrange a meeting with her for sexual purposes. He also admitted to brandishing a knife at a woman and threatening to stab her partner on January 31, 2023, while on bail since January 15.

Defence agent Tommy Allan argued in Lerwick Sheriff Court that Birnie had a number of complex needs. Sheriff Ian Cruickshank sentenced Birnie to two years of supervision with 80 hours of community payback for the grooming offence and 100 hours for threatening and abusive behaviour, as an alternative to custody.

Birnie was placed on the sex offenders register at an earlier hearing.