SCOTT ANDERSON ATTACKS WIFE IN LERWICK SHELTERED NEIGHBORHOOD

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Lerwick, Shetland, a 33-year-old man named Scott Anderson was involved in a violent assault against his wife, leaving her injured and bleeding on their home floor. The incident, which occurred on the evening of November 15 of the previous year, came to light during a court session held on September 25, 2023, where Anderson appeared before Lerwick Sheriff Court to face charges related to the assault.

According to court reports, Anderson and his wife had recently married and had just moved into their residence in Lerwick when the attack took place. The prosecutor, Duncan MacKenzie, outlined that Anderson was under bail conditions at the time, which explicitly prohibited him from consuming alcohol due to a prior incident involving his wife. Despite these restrictions, Anderson was found drinking vodka on the night of the assault, a clear violation of his bail terms. MacKenzie remarked that this behavior appeared to be part of a recurring pattern of misconduct directed towards his wife.

On the evening of the attack, Anderson returned home from work around 10 PM. His wife, upon entering their Lerwick home, discovered him drinking alcohol. The situation quickly escalated as Anderson accused her of infidelity, leading to a heated confrontation. The victim’s cries for help were so loud that they drew the attention of a neighbor living upstairs. As tensions intensified, Anderson allegedly grabbed his wife roughly by her housecoat. During a struggle, he reportedly choked her by the throat, causing her to feel as if she was suffocating. She desperately shouted, “get off me,” while Anderson responded by punching her in the face.

The violent altercation prompted the upstairs neighbor to call the police. When officers arrived at the scene, Anderson attempted to obstruct their entry by bracing himself against the door. Nevertheless, one officer managed to gain access through the kitchen and found the wife in a state of extreme distress, with visible injuries and bleeding. Anderson was promptly arrested at the scene but refused to comply with a breath test at the police station, thereby breaching his bail conditions.

Photographs of the victim’s injuries were presented to the sheriff, highlighting her physical distress and the severity of her injuries. During the court proceedings, defense attorney Tommy Allan requested an adjournment to allow for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports. It was noted that Anderson had been in custody since the incident in November. Sheriff Ian Cruickshank approved the request, postponing the hearing until November 1, 2023. On that date, Anderson is expected to be sentenced, and the court will also consider issuing a non-harassment order to protect the victim from further harm.