A MAN has been told to “turn his life around” in four weeks by a sheriff, after pleading guilty to nuisance behaviour and threatening neighbours in the Saughton area of Edinburgh.
David Melbourne, 21, of Stenhouse, had a public argument with a man after the sale of his dog fell through.
Melbourne was seen in the area shouting to residents “come and have a go” and threatened to petrol-bomb a flat. Witnesses then saw Melbourne banging on a door in Saughton Mains Terrace shortly after in an “aggressive and highly intimidating manner”, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard.
Defence agent Marie Stewart said: “The primary witness is Mr Melbournes step-sister. They do not have a good relationship.”
The incident took place some time between 23.00 GMT and 00.30 GMT on Friday 16 October 2009.
Dean Alexander Smith and William Melbourne, who were both with David Melbourne during the confrontations, were acquitted of similar charges.
David Melbourne has a previous conviction for assault in April 2009 following a affray on a bus. He was ordered to carry out 60 days community service.
Sheriff Neil MacKinnon QC ordered background reports in the hope that external agencies can help shift Melbourne from a “life of revolving crime”.
“I am concerned that at just 21-years-old you already have a string of offences.
“You must sort out your life if you wish to avoid a lifetime in-and-out of prison. To do this, you need help.
“I do not want to punish you. I want to help you. You must accept this help and turn your life around before I see you again.”
The Sheriff told Melbourne to “put the event behind” him.
Sentence has been deferred until 18 December 2009 following background reports.
By Calum Liddle
A young Scottish pioneer has
opened the country’s first
commercial snail farm, in his
parent’s back garden.
Malcolm Stewart, a 17-year-old
from Leith, is successfully
breeding and nurturing common
garden snails as escargot for
some of Edinburgh’s finest
restaurants, and the orders
are filling fast.
Malcolm said: “The snails come
from a designated plot in my
dad’s back yard before they
are treated, cleansed and put
into forced hibernation in the
kitchen fridge.”
The slimy creatures have proved a hit with the town’s restaurants and Malcolm claims he cannot keep up with the demand for around 300 snails every month.
“I’m now earning an income for when I start studying for my business degree next year, selling fresh and delectable home grown produce to top-notch restaurants.”
The bourgeoning sales of the helix aspersa and pomatia variety are not exclusive to restaurants with a gallic flair, but include the city’s cafés and bistros from Morningside Road to Leith Walk.
Gerry King, head chef at the Chez la Mère restaurant on Haddington Road, in nearby Musselburgh said: “We bought our first batch of 160 snails last week. It’s been popular so far, although, customers are generally taken aback by the sight of the very familiar snails.”
He added: “Why would we want snails that have been frozen and shipped from the continent? The snails are fresh, of supreme quality due to their diet and ultimately delicious.”
The snails are fed on a diet of
dried food, chalk to make their
shells strong and fresh leafy
vegetables.
Malcolm said: “I’ll admit to
becoming quite attached to
them. They are really quite
friendly and somewhat curious
creatures. They don’t smell, make
any noise or mess. They’d make
perfect pets.”
The snails, which are usually shipped from farms in Eastern Europe, are in short supply with the French alone consuming 700 million tonnes each year.
A spokesman for Scottish Enterprise said that Malcolm’s business, which is yet to be named, had “scope for further development and enlargement”.
“During the recession, it has become apparent that individuals look to exploit market gaps. In this case, we have witnessed the creation of Scotland’s first snail farm and it looks to be doing very well.”
Malcolm added: “As long as the Scottish winter isn’t too bitter for the snails, then I’ll remain confident for the future.”
We have witnessed the creation of Scotland’s first snail farm and it looks to be doing very well.
- Scottish Enterprise
