Court / Man sent north to pay off drug debt caught with almost £25k in heroin
A FORTY three year old man who was caught bringing heroin with a street value of almost £25,000 into Shetland has had his sentence deferred for reports.
Sean Penman, from Kelty, admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug at the Holmsgarth ferry terminal in Lerwick on 14 January this year.
Penman also gave a fake name when asked to provide his details by police, and was caught with a “friction lock baton” – typically used by police officers.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard police had received intelligence about Penman and were waiting at the ferry terminal for him that morning.
They found 246.80 grams of diamorphine in the car, which could have achieved a total value of £24,680 if broken down into its smallest possible quantities and sold.
When asked to provide his details, Penman said his name was “Sean Smith”.
However, he did give his full name when asked again at the police station.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Penman was someone living “a fairly chaotic life” in relation to drugs, and appeared to have been sent north on a “couriering exercise” to pay off a drug debt.
Penman was not in court today (Wednesday), and defence agent Iain McCafferty said his client did not have the funds to travel to Shetland.
With Sheriff Ian Cruickshank intimating he would be seeking background reports before sentencing, McCafferty said he would reserve mitigation until then.
Sheriff Cruickshank deferred sentencing for a criminal justice social work report.
He told McCafferty he will expect Penman to be in court for his sentencing on 20 November.
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