Brae woman jailed for nine months after admitting string of offences
A woman with a string of offences behind her was sentenced to nine months imprisonment by Lerwick Sheriff Court this week.
Regular attendee Rachael Holmes, 30, of Burgadale in Brae, was given an 18 month probation order last year after breaking into the Mossbank shop.
However her past caught up with her on Wednesday after she admitted responsibility for a number of misdemeanours since then, breaching her probation.
She also failed to comply with the terms of a supervised attendance order.
On 23rd June she stole sweets from the Co-op in Brae. In November she reset a hooded top and hat at the Market Cross which she knew had been stolen.
The items had been taken by her co-accused Laura Nelson, 23, of Hoofields, who had also played her part in the Mossbank break-in.
The court heard Holmes was well aware her performance had not been up to scratch.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said Holmes accepted there was no point making excuses.
He said she was an “independent” person who had wanted to sort things out by herself, despite help offered by the social work department.
Mr Allan said drug user Holmes had managed to stop using heroin.
Although she was on a “fairly substantial” methadone programme, she had stabilised on that.
She was eager to finish a community service order, he said, and had completed 17 hours, with 33 still remaining.
However sheriff Graeme Napier said the time had come for Holmes to put the issues behind her.
“I’ve listened to what Mr Allan has said, but I think the time has come for this to be brought to an end.
“I don’t see any alternative now but to impose a custodial sentence, which you’ve been given every opportunity to avoid.”
Meanwhile Nelson was spared a jail term. The court heard there was a “world of difference” between the two background reports for the two women.
Her previous probation order was revoked, and she was given a 12-month drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) instead.
Sentence for the theft was deferred until next month.
