News / Jail for trio who smuggled cannabis into isles
THREE middle-aged men from Dunfermline who attempted to smuggle £5,000 worth of cannabis resin into Shetland were sent to prison for a total of 20 months at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.
Described by procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie as a ‘feckless’ operation that didn’t require much detective work to uncover, the trio were intercepted at the NorthLink ferry terminal in Lerwick on 19 September last year.
The court heard that the crime came to light due to their behaviour on board the ferry, and had they kept to themselves and not drawn the attention of others, their actions may never have been discovered.
John Leslie Foy, 53, of McClelland Crescent, Mark Edward Howe, aged 50, of Beath View and Mark James Purvis, aged 52, of Walker Place, all pleaded guilty to the charge of being concerned in the supply of the class B drug.
Foy and Howe both received six month prison terms while Purvis was jailed for eight months as it was him who had hatched the plan, sourced the drugs and financed the deal.
Sentencing the trio, sheriff Ian Cruickshank said that although their actions were described as feckless, the gravity was as such that a custodial sentence was the only possible disposal.
There was then a 10-minute delay in court proceedings before enough police officers could be mustered to take the three men from the courtroom to the cells.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
