New payment plan keeps Wick man from jail

A Wick man has avoided prison after coming up with a more realistic pay plan for his outstanding fines.

An initial offer of £50 a month was rejected on Wednesday by Sheriff Ian Miller.

He ordered Gary Robertson (38) to think again on the basis it would take the accused somewhere in the region of two-and-a-half years to clear the arrears, and warned him he was running the risk of a custodial sentence.

Robertson, of Murchison Street, Wick, immediately made a down payment of £200 in court at Wick.

Following a detailed analysis of Robertson's benefits today – he is unemployed and is disabled – the accused was able to offer increased monthly instalments of £125 towards the outstanding balance of £1285.

The new arrangement was accepted by Sheriff Miller.

Robertson's progress will be reviewed on February 7, next year.