The Scottish Court Service has said all jury trials from Portree will be moved to Inverness. Image: Sandy McCook/ DC Thomson.
The tragic and premature death of his wife and mother of their four children, yesterday saved a man from jail.
Labourer Darren Stephenson, 35, of 4 Varragill House, Portree, appeared for sentence at Portree Sheriff Court after admitting stealing £30 of razors from his local Boots on February 27.
Defence lawyer Roger Webb told Sheriff Richard Davidson that his client had a problem with alcohol and anti-depressants.
His wife died six years ago from cancer leaving four children who now lived with their mother’s sister.
Stephenson had made “valiant attempts” to get off alcohol.
Sheriff Davidson said at the earlier hearing: “With your record it could well have been appropriate to send you straight to jail now, but it is a terrible burden you have to bear.It must be difficult for you to come to terms with your loss. I will get a social work report on you.”
The sheriff said yesterday: “It says in the report you have abstained from alcohol since February which is quite an attainment for you.”
Stephenson was given 70 hours community service with the warning he would go to prison if he did not complete the unpaid work for the community.
Death of man’s wife and children saves him from jail
