Man ‘reluctantly’ jailed

A man with an entrenched drugs problem was reluctantly sent to prison at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Darren Lawson, 39, of Mill Lane, Lerwick, admitted stealing a pair of socks from Cee & Jays on 7th February, and stealing two containers of eyeshadow from Tesco on 20th March.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Lawson had been “committed” to drugs rehab, and both his shoplifting offences had been “minor”.

Sheriff Philip Mann said the case presented him with a difficult decision. He said that as Lawson had already been subject to a drugs testing and treatment order for 18 months and it had not been successful, there was no point in continuing.

Sheriff Mann said: “Your addiction is such that it has beaten you. I don’t see the purpose in committing more public funds to assist you.”

He added that Lawson’s offending had reached the point when there was no alternative to custody, and sentenced him to two months in prison.

Sheriff Mann said: “I’m doing this with a heavy heart. I appreciate you’ve tried your best.”

Being in prison would give Lawson a chance to “reflect” and get clean of drugs, he added.