Community service for Kirkwall man caught with cannabis haul on Caithness ferry
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An Orkney drug dealer who was caught with a stash of cannabis on the Hamnavoe ferry has avoided being sent to jail.
Frank Doull, who was described as a heavy user, was instead ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service as part of a community payback order.
The 31-year-old previously pleaded guilty on indictment to being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug in the course of a crossing between Scrabster and Stromness on November 18, 2021.
Kirkwall Sheriff Court heard he has since tried to turn his life around after being caught with the cannabis with a potential street value of between £4000 and £13,000.
Thurso solicitor Fiona MacDonald said Doull has since given up alcohol, taken steps to address his drug habit and begun a gardening business.
The court heard Doull has used between five and six grams of cannabis a day.
Ms MacDonald said: "He has taken positive steps to get his life back."
After reading background reports, Sheriff Robert MacDonald said that, in a case of this nature, it would be “unusual” for him to “consider anything other than a custodial sentence”.
But he felt that there was evidence Doull had undergone a “change in approach” to the way he looks at drugs in his life.
As well as the unpaid work, the year-long community order will involve Doull being supervised by social workers.
