Brute released early must serve rest of his sentence

A convicted armed robber out on licence is back behind bars after being caught with drugs.

Thug Martin Docherty, 33, who was handed four years and six months after a terrifying robbery at a Paisley off licence in 2013, will serve the rest of his sentence after stashing cocaine inside his body.

The town’s sheriff court heard yesterday that Docherty, released early in March after three years in jail, was arrested by the cops in the town’s Causeyside Street on April 11 when officers suspected he had concealed drugs.

Fiscal depute Hazel Emmerson told the court: “At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Glasgow, an examination was carried out on the accused and a white polythene bag was recovered. It contained 12.5 grams of cocaine, with a value of £150, and was recovered from the accused.

“He was not cautioned and charged due to his state of intoxication.”

Docherty, currently banged up at Low Moss Prison, appeared from custody for sentencing and admitted possessing the drug.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker said Docherty was desperate to get on a prison drug treatment programme, but jail authorities will only do that once his case is dealt with.

He said: “His licence has been revoked following his arrest in April and his earliest date of release wouldn’t be until December 2018, some 18 months since his release of March 2017.

“He wishes the matter dealt with today as this would give him access to the substance relief offending programme while in prison.”

Sheriff Seith Ireland said there was no alternative to jail for Docherty, formerly of John Lang Street, in Johnstone.

He said: “You have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, saving time in the police coming to court, therefore there is a reduction in the penalty.

“There is no other option than imposing a custodial sentence. You will serve 60 days, reduced from 90 days. You are in prison currently, where you will serve both sentences, which is applied from today’s date.”

Docherty was convicted at Paisley Sheriff Court in October 2013 after carrying out a robbery at Bottles Off Sales in Causeyside Street, where he attacked Hugh McIlraith with a knife and robbed him of cash.

Docherty remained silent as he was taken below to begin the rest of his sentence.