Pair sentenced after admitting to supplying cannabis

A MAN and a woman who were involved in the supply of cannabis and cannabis resin have been placed on community payback order.

Donnie Hutchison, of Turnibrae, Dunrossness, and Stephanie Adamson, of Lerwick’s Grostane, previously admitted committing the offence at an address in Dunrossness and elsewhere on 3 December.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday that police searched the pair’s addresses and found cannabis worth a total of around £160, but the vast majority was recovered from Hutchison’s property.

Defence agent Michael Chapman said 25 year old Hutchison was a “long-term user” of the class B substance and he suggested that contact with the drug community led him towards committing the offence.

However, he was involved “purely to receive drugs for his own use” and had “no direct financial gain”.

Adamson’s solicitor Tommy Allan said the 22 year old’s participation was “low level” and that the supply was to acquaintances.

He added that the offence had been a “salutary” lesson for Adamson, who was described as “vulnerable” and needing support from mental health services.

Sheriff Philip Mann said a read of local media would show that he takes a “dim view” of drug supply.

However, he described the extent of the dealing as “minimal” and decided to place the pair on community payback orders.

As an alternative to custody, Hutchison – who had a previous conviction for a cannabis offence – was given 230 hours of unpaid work to complete and was placed under supervision for one year.

He was also told to remain inside his home between 7pm and 7am, seven days a week, for three months.

Adamson was given 150 hours of unpaid work to complete, while a crown motion for forfeiture of items recovered by police in their searches was granted.