News / Johnson jailed for ten months for thefts
A MAN from Sullom has been sent to jail for nearly one year after admitting a string of offences at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Sydney James Johnson pled guilty to stealing an outboard motor from West Dock, Lerwick on 10 September.
The 24 year old also admitted thieving a Yamaha outboard motor from Lerwick Port Authority on 4 October.
He previously pled guilty to stealing to £7,500-worth of copper wire from Scottish Hydro Electric on Lerwick’s Gremista Road on 28 February, with sentence deferred until Wednesday for social work reports.
Johnson further admitted to being found in the curtilage of the Weisdale Centre, on Cott Road in Weisdale, on 26 November without lawful authority, which could be inferred that he intended to commit theft.
On the same day, the man from Sullom also drove a car on Cott Road, Weisdale without insurance.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the total value of the outboard engines was £1,500, with both items recovered. The copper was also recovered.
In the intent to commit theft charge, Johnson was found by a member of staff crouching down next to a Land Rover holding a petrol can and was “clearly trying to steal fuel”.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said drug use was behind the “majority” of the offences, with his client spending most of his money on substances.
The solicitor added that Johnson was now hoping to move to Glasgow.
Sheriff Philip Mann said that because social work reports raised concerns over Johnson’s ability to adhere to a community payback order, as well as the value of the thefts, there was “no alternative” to jail.
The sheriff placed him behind bars for a total of ten months and endorsed his driving licence with six penalty points for the insurance offence.
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