Sheriff knocks back payment plan for Wick man

A Wick man was taken to task by a sheriff for non-payment of fines incurred over a three-year period.

Gary Robertson (38) offered to clear the £1485 debt at the rate of £50 a month – but Sheriff Ian Miller rejected that at Wick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, arguing it would take the accused somewhere in the region of two-and-a-half years.

Explaining why Robertson had fallen behind with his payments,solicitor George Mathers said the accused was pretty much in constant pain, the result of a back injury when he was younger, and for some unknown reason his benefit had been interrupted.

The solicitor suggested that the £50 a month could be deducted from his benefit at source and revealed that Robertson, of Murchison Street, Wick, had come up with a payment of £200, which he produced.

Sheriff Miller said he was "not impressed" by Robertson's pay plan and commented that the accused was running the risk of going to prison.

The sheriff continued the case until Friday to allow the accused to come up with a more realistic offer for the balance.