Prison for Mossbank thief

A MAN who caused “a lot of upset” in Mossbank by stealing money and items from cars soon after moving to the village has been sentenced to ten months in prison.

Wesley Bailey, of Leaside, previously admitted taking a camera worth £95 from an unsecured vehicle on Hamarsgarth and thieving loose change from vehicle on Rayburn Road on 15 July.

The 36 year old also pled guilty to causing £300 worth of damage by smashing the front rearside window of a locked vehicle in Maidenfield on 16 July and taking £20 from inside.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Bailey was a “thief” who caused considerable “upset” in Mossbank, sparking a “palpable negative impact on the community”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client, who appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, had been invited to a party and apparently had his drink spiked by so-called ‘legal highs’.

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Bailey had “little recollection” of the incidents as a result, but he accepted his responsibility, the solicitor added.

Sheriff Philip Mann said the offences were “serious”, particularly given Bailey’s record.

“People who live in any community, especially rural island communities, are entitled to feel safe and secure from people like yourself,” the sheriff told Bailey.

Sheriff Mann gave him six months in jail for the stealing offences and another four months behind bars for missing a court appearance.

The sentence was backdated to when Bailey first entered custody on 5 September.