Community order for man who intended to give drugs to friends

A man who pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis was given unpaid work to do instead of a prison sentence at Lerwick Sheriff Court.

James Woods, of Ladies Drive, Lerwick was stopped and searched on 3rd June at Ladies Drive and found to have a number of wraps of cannabis resin worth £800. He was “fully co-operative” when interviewed by police.

Defence agent Martin Morrow told the court yesterday that Woods had been involved in cannabis “for a long time” and intended to give the drugs to friends and associates. He said that Woods was also very ashamed of what he had done – something that was referenced in his social inquiry report.

Woods, he said, came from a very law-abiding family and was aware of the stupidity of his actions and was very remorseful.

Sheriff Philip Mann said that it was not the most serious instance of dealing in drugs but warned that when people pooled their resources to buy drugs, there was always a “mug” who paid the price.

Sheriff Mann said: “In this court I have sent many people to custody for dealing in drugs but in this particular case I see in the social work report an alternative to a custodial sentence.

“It is only because of the social work report that I am prepared to exclude a custodial sentence, but not everyone can expect that.”

He gave Woods a community payback order with 180 hours of unpaid work and nine months in which to complete the work plus a three-month restriction of liberty order when he must stay home between 10pm and 6am.