Courts in Moray: Jail for passenger who struggled with driver
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A defendant has been jailed for several offences including struggling with his partner while she was driving from Fochabers to Elgin.
James Blain appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court via video link.
The court was told that, on May 11, a motorist had seen a man "moving erratically back and forth" inside a car being driven by a woman.
This witness added that the female driver was putting her hands up to defend herself.
The argument between Blain and his partner continued after their car journey.
Procurator fiscal Karen Polk said: "When they arrived in Elgin they were shouting at each other in the street.
"She asked for a mobile phone. He refused. She asked again. He threw it at her."
Ms Polk added that the phone hit the woman in the face.
Her cheek was reported as being swollen when she attended a meeting later.
Blain, who's aged 40, admitted committing another offence eight days afterwards, on May 19.
The court heard that a friend had agreed to let him stay at his home.
However, the following day, the friend noticed a £1500 electric bike had gone missing. The bike was never recovered.
In addition, Blain pleaded guilty to an earlier offence from March 5, 2022.
On that date, while being transporting in a police van from Fochabers to Inverness, he challenged officers to a fight and uttered numerous threats.
Ms Polk said: "His tirade lasted for most of the journey."
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty stated that his client had experienced drug and alcohol problems over the years.
The lawyer added: "He's not unrealistic. He's not going to waste the court's time by asking for a community-based sentence.
"Instead, he intends to use the period he will be in custody as positively as he can."
Sheriff Fleetwood sentenced Blaine to seven months in prison, backdated to May 23, the day he was originally remanded.
