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.

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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”.