Man’s jail sentence extended for stealing mobile phone from ferry cleaner

A man who committed an offence on the NorthLink ferry when travelling home from prison had time added to an existing sentence at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Dale Henry, 28, a prisoner in Aberdeen, appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to stealing a mobile phone on Hrossey on 21st July.

Henry is currently in prison for another offence, committed in August, when he fought with a man in Lerwick and struggled violently with police officers.

In court procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said that the incident on the ferry depicted how Henry lead his life. After being released from prison on 19th July, Henry spent money on the boat on drink. The phone was in the handbag of a cleaner, who left it in the locker behind reception when she got on at Lerwick. The cleaner reported the theft to police.

Later that day Henry took a heroin overdose and was admitted to hospital, where the phone was found on him. His explanation was that he found it on the floor and had intended to hand it in.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said that it had been an “opportunistic offence” and the phone had been recovered. Mr Allan said Henry’s current position was that he was serving a total of 246 days in prison dating from 2nd August. This included 48 “unexpired” days from the previous sentence.

Sheriff Graeme Napier said that he would not do anything about the unexpired days, but imposed 50 days to be served consecutively with his current sentence.