A chef who had been released early from a 40-month High Court jail sentence yesterday narrowly avoided being sent back to complete his term.
Defence solicitor Clare Russell asked Sheriff David Sutherland not to deal with Sean MacDougall, 24, in such a way because he had not offended for a year.
She told Inverness Sheriff Court: “He has stayed out of trouble for around a year and has nothing pending in any court.
“He could be dealt with in by means of a financial penalty.” Ms Russell went on.
MacDougall, of Davis Square, Inverness, had admitted possessing 550g of cannabis resin worth around £1,000. The court heard he was given his liberty in April 2016 after being jailed in December 2014 at Aberdeen High Court for stabbing a friend.
The court was told he had been taken in Burnett Road Police Station on another matter and officers found the drugs in his rucksack.
Ms Russell said it was accepted by the Crown that although it was a large amount, her client was not involved in supply.
MacDougall was fined £600.
Chef released early from a 40-month jail sentence narrowly avoided being sent back
