Court / Hillswick men given extra time to repay stolen £25,000

TWO MEN from the North Mainland have had their sentence deferred for six months to give them time to pay back £25,000 which they had stolen from someone else’s bank account over a period of time to fund a drug habit.

Ian and Michael Herridge, both of Assater in Hillswick, appeared for sentencing at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The father and son had previously admitted carrying out the offence between 8 July 2020 and 10 January 2021 at various locations in Shetland, including at a bank and post offices.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie had told the court at during an earlier hearing that the offence had only come to light when the complainer looked at bank statements.

The fiscal added that the complainer was someone who trusted the Herridges with access to their bank account to help them with day to day life, such as shopping.

He said the £25,000 was taken out through around 150 or so transactions.

The court heard that both had started repaying the money and that at least £5,000 had been refunded so far.

Speaking in mitigation on Wednesday, defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client, 69-year-old Ian Herridge, found himself in an impossible situation as he sought to help his son.

Meanwhile solicitor Gregor Kelly said 41-year-old Michael Herridge was personally responsible for this “sorry saga”, caused by his debts and drug addiction.

Kelly said that once his client had secured employment the speed of repayment would pick up.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank was prepared to follow the pleas of both solicitors, based on a comprehensive social justice report, and imposed a structured deferred sentence.

They were told to reappear initially at court on 17 May 2023 when the court will be updated on their efforts to repay the debt.