Lerwick man jailed for stealing shop’s charity collection boxes

A young man who stole charity collection boxes from the Levenwick shop was sentenced to a total of 196 days behind bars when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Scott Anderson, 20, of Hoofields, Lerwick, was told by sheriff Graeme Napier he was not mature enough to be trusted with a community-based sentence.

Anderson had been held on remand after admitting helping himself to the five collection boxes during a break-in at Levenwick’s Midway Stores on 25th July.

The following day he robbed a man of his mobile phone in the Parkfield area of Lerwick. The offences took place less than a month after Anderson was released early from a previous spell in custody.

Sentence had been deferred for background reports to be prepared.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said alternative sentences had been outlined in the reports.

He said it was some time since Anderson had been given the chance to complete a probation order and suggested “it might be worth giving him another shot”.

Mr Allan said Anderson had made good progress while in custody and had done everything he could to help his case.

“He appears confident that this is a time he can make use of any chance that’s given to him,” he said.

However Sheriff Napier said Anderson had breached a probation order in July last year.

Anderson has also broken the terms of a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO).

Neither was the Sheriff pleased that Anderson had been released early from his last sentence on 29th June. He was only meant to be set free from custody on Tuesday.

Sheriff Napier told him: “The report is more positive than I was expecting. You’re obviously making the most of it in custody, but my take on this is the only time you actually do anything is when you’re forced to do it.

“I don’t think you are mature enough yet to be trusted to take responsibility for yourself.”

He sentenced him to 154 days, plus an additional 42 days to make up for his early release.