News In Focus
30 October 2009
Perth sheriff renews criticism of early release
A sheriff has again criticised the early release of serious offenders after finding out a drug dealer was freed after serving just 12 weeks of a sentence of almost two years.
At Perth Sheriff Court, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis – who earlier this year said it was “pointless” jailing some people because they spent so little time actually in jail – expressed astonishment that Darren Fraser had been jailed for nearly two years on 20 November 2008, and yet was freed before the end of February this year.
Fraser, 25, was in court yesterday when he admitted charges relating to the sale of heroin.
Noting Fraser had two previous convictions relating to the supply of drugs, Sheriff Foulis said he had a previous conviction for possession with intent to supply cannabis and diazepam in 2005, for which he received eight months and a 45-day concurrent sentence.
In November 2008 he was sentenced to 21 months from 20 November. He was then released on a home-detention curfew on 25 February 2009.
Pointing out that Fraser had reoffended within four months of his release, he asked: "I was just wondering when the authorities were deciding that someone should be released on a home-detention curfew when it is their second conviction for dealing in drugs?"
He ordered Fraser to serve a further 10 months of his unexpired sentence and added another 30 months in recognition of the latest offence.