Kirkwall cannabis dealers handed custodial sentences

Two Kirkwall men have been sent to prison after admitting being involved in the suppply of cannabis.

Appearing at Kirkwall Sheriff Court this afternoon, thirty-two-year-old Michael John Olsen was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, while James Christopher Rowe, 27, was jailed for nine months.

Both pleaded guilty to dealing in the class B controlled drug between November 6, 2013, and May 10, 2014.

The court heard that in co-ordinated raids police seized cannabis with a value of up to £3,320 from Olsen’s property, and £13,400 in cash was recovered at Rowe’s home address.

The court also heard that Olsen had two previous convictions for drug offences.

Sentencing the accused, Sheriff Andrew Berry said: “It is clear to me that only a custodial sentence in respect of each of you is appropriate to bring home the gravity of this matter and to send as clear a message as I can to anybody else involved in this business or thinking of doing so.”