Court / Hillswick father and son given extra time to repay stolen money
A FATHER and son from the North Mainland have had their sentence deferred for another six months to allow further time to pay back £25,000 they had stolen from someone else’s bank account to feed a drug habit and pay off debts.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that both men were struggling financially and that a significant amount of money was still outstanding.
Ian and Michael Herridge, both of Assater in Hillswick, had previously admitted stealing the money between July 2020 and January 2021 through around 150 individual transactions at various locations in Shetland, including banks and post offices.
In November 2022 Sheriff Ian Cruickshank imposed a structured deferred sentence to allow them the opportunity to repay the funds stolen.
They were given additional time in May last year, a period that has now been extended until the end of October this year.
Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said that Herridge senior, 70, continued to struggle financially, while his son Michael, aged 43, had been working but had lost his job.
However, Herridge junior believes he has a realistic opportunity to gain well paid employment soon, which, if he does, “will make a difference”, the solicitor added.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the complainer was suffering from significant health issues and only receiving partial repayment was a burden.
Sheriff Cruickshank told the pair that they had until 30 October to make further efforts “for sums to be paid”.
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006