News / ‘Ashamed’ thief handed a three-year jail term
A MAN who admitted attempting to thieve charity boxes before robbing money from a Lerwick hairdressers while “full of legal highs” has been sent to jail for nearly three years.
George Hogg, whose address was given as Grampian Prison, appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to hear sentencing after previously admitting three charges that took place in the centre of the town on 11 December.
The 34 year old admitted attempting to steal a charity box from the Shetland Times Bookshop on Commercial Street by cutting its wire securing.
Hogg also previously pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman with his face masked at Jon Stone Hairdressers on Mounthooly Street on the same day. He shouted and swore at her before “forcibly propelling” her to the till and robbing a sum of money and a number of cheques.
He also admitted resisting, obstructing or hindering two police constables at an address on Mounthooly Street, also on the same day, and struggling violently with them – causing one to sustain an injury.
Defence agent Tommy Allan previously told court that Hogg was “full of legal highs” at the time and wanted to return to prison, which was a place where he felt “safe”.
Speaking on Wednesday, Allan said his client takes “full responsibility” for his actions and will look to move away from Shetland because he is too “ashamed” to stay in the isles.
Sheriff Philip Mann said there was “absolutely no alternative” to a custodial sentence in this instance.
“You are a man who has completely lost his way in life,” Sheriff Mann added.
“I dare say there is good in you, but you just need to find a way to get that goodness out.”
He gave Hogg a total of two years and 10 months in prison, with eight weeks of the sentence coming from a return order as he committed the offences shortly after being released from prison.
Hogg will also be placed under supervision for 12 months following his eventual release from jail.
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