News / Thursday’s court round up
A LERWICK man who broke into his friend’s house to steal nearly £350 cash and later thieved musical equipment from the Shetland Fiddle and Accordion Club has narrowly avoided being sent to jail.
Craig Manson, of 8 Ladies Drive, pled guilty at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday to taking £346 from a friend’s flat on Ladies Drive on 28 October last year.
He smashed a window to gain entry after learning that his friend was not in the building.
The 24 year old also admitted taking a storage box and a quantity of cases containing music and sound equipment from the Shetland Hotel on Lerwick’s Holmsgarth Road on 4 November.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday that Manson’s actions were probably motivated by his desire for drugs.
Defence agent Tommy Allan responded by saying his client had endured a downward spiral into drug use after losing his job and his “self-respect”.
He added that Manson had not been in trouble since the incident and was now training as a plasterer.
Sheriff David Hall said the court took offences like housebreaking “extremely seriously” and admitted he was close to sending Manson to jail.
Instead he placed him under supervision for one year and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Manson must also pay £346 compensation to his friend to replace the stolen money.
Lock knife fine
A FORKLIFT driver from Sandwick was fined £450 for carrying a locking knife in his car.
Thirty one year old Curtis New, of 6 Veester Hill, admitted having the knife at Lerwick’s Burgh Road on 2 May.
Procurator fiscal Mackenzie said the man was stopped by police on another matter before the knife was discovered in the driver door pocket.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly said his client, who had a “passion” for doing up cars, had the item – used for cutting tow rope – in his vehicle alongside other tools.
Lock out break in attempt
A man from Donegal also received a fine after attempting to force entry to a B&B before smashing a van window.
Francis Feeney, of 76 Weatfield Place, found himself locked out of the guesthouse at Longwell, Cunningsburgh on 19 March.
Procurator fiscal Mackenzie said the 19 year old temporary worker had lost his job and took to drink to “drown his sorrows”.
Defence agent Allan said his client later attempted to force entry to the B&B as he was unaware he had lost his place at the accommodation.
Allan added Feeney then tried to recover a bag, which contained a number of his personal items, from the nearby works van by breaking one of its windows.
Sheriff Hall decided to fine the Irishman £300.
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