Pair jailed for ‘despicable’ crime
A SERIAL offender with a significant drug problem was sent to jail for 16 months at Lerwick Sheriff Court for what was described as a “particularly despicable and reprehensible” crime.
David McKinnon’s partner Kelly Ann Ross, of 33 Ladies Drive, Lerwick, was also jailed for 38 weeks for her part in the theft.
Both had admitted to breaking into the house of a deceased friend on 29 July last year.
McKinnon, of 26 Hoofields, Lerwick, admitted stealing a games console, while Ross accepted that she had taken a necklace which was of high sentimental value to the deceased’s family.
Appearing for sentencing on Wednesday, defence solicitor Tommy Allan told the court that 32 year old McKinnon had been on legal highs as well as his prescribed medication at the time of the offence.
McKinnon now appreciates how despicable the crime had been, Allan said, adding that as a result his client had been shunned by the community.
He said his client did not expect anything other than a custodial sentence.
Defending 37 year old Ross, solicitor Euan Gosney said his client accepted the Crown’s narration that it was she who took the necklace.
She fully acknowledged the upset it had caused to the family of the deceased, he said, adding that her remorse appears to be genuine.
He said that fortunately the necklace had been recovered, “allowing the family of the deceased peace of mind”.
Sentencing the pair, sheriff Philip Mann told McKinnon that the crime was “particularly despicable and reprehensible”.
“You both knew that this was the house of a deceased friend whose mother has shown you a great deal of sympathy,” he said.
He added that he was not persuaded by Gosney’s plea to avoid a custodial sentence for Ross and jailed her for a shorter period of time.
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