Prison for laptop theft

A MATURE student from Lerwick who admitted stealing laptop computers from Shetland College has been sent to jail for five months.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court John Neill, of 22c Mounthooly St, pled guilty to taking four laptops from the Gremista site on 15 December 2014.

The 35 year old also admitted the theft of two laptop batteries and two chargers.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court the value of the items taken amounted to hundreds of pounds.

Defence agent Gregor Kelly said his client initially took a laptop from the college for coursework and gaming, before deciding it wasn’t performing as well as he hoped.

Neill then took more laptops, all of which have since been recovered.

Sheriff Philip Mann admitted he was “swithering” about sending Neill to jail, but was persuaded by his criminal record.