Man given community payback order for ‘social supply’ of heroin
A MAN from Cunningsburgh who had admitted being concerned in what was described as a “social supply” of heroin has been given a community payback order.
Ralph Halcrow previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class A drug diamorphine on 11 October 2022.
At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday for sentencing, the 49-year-old was given 18 months of supervision and 270 hours of unpaid work to complete.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie previously told court that police executed a search warrant at Halcrow’s home.
They found more than 27 grams of diamorphine in total, which Mackenzie said if broken down into the smallest sellable amounts could have had a street value of more than £1,800. Police also seized £935 in cash.
Mackenzie previously said it was accepted that a quantity of the heroin was for Halcrow’s personal use, and that the rest was for a “social supply to a small group of four peers”.
The case called again at court after the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said there were some elements of the report that were positive and highlighted there was a recommendation of a community payback order.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank noted that given Halcrow’s previous convictions the “custody threshold” had been passed.
But the sheriff said taking into account all the circumstances a community payback order was a suitable sentence.
A crown motion for forfeiture of items seized by police had already been granted.
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