‘Last chance’ warning for Paisley crook

A Paisley man who acquired £10,000 in criminal cash and exchanged it for US Dollars has been warned to complete his unpaid work or he could be facing a prison sentence.

Ross Devlin was found guilty after trial of acquiring and possessing criminal property on August 15, 2016, at his home in Balfron Road.

Following the trial, in February last year, Devlin was ordered to carry out unpaid work.

But a year after the sentence was imposed, Devlin has been warned by Sheriff Brian Mohan that he is close to custody if the community service isn’t completed.

The trial at Paisley Sheriff Court found the 44-year-old guilty of acquiring and possession £10,000 of criminal property.

Crooked Devlin took £2900.87 to Thomsons Travel in Silverburn shopping centre on August 15, 2016 and converted the criminal cash into US dollars.

On the same date, the father-of-two then took himself to Barrhead Travel within Silverburn and converted £2910.85 into US dollars.

Next on Devlin’s spending spree was Marks & Spencers within Silverburn and he again converted £2911.85 of criminal property in US Dollars.

The former tiler claimed someone broke into his house and opened a bank account – a claim Sheriff Mohan blasted as“utter rubbish.”

Defence agent, Ms Moore told the court the former army veteran has an “ongoing problem”with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Ms Moore explained:“The report completed on Mr Devlin’s compliance is terrible.

“It’s a terrible report full of terrible excuses and he is deeply embarrassed.

“He was in the army from 2000 to 2007 and served two tours in Iraq.

“He has been diagnosed with PTSD and this is an ongoing problem.

“He want’s to complete this unpaid work. He and his family want to put this matter behind him.”

Sheriff Brian Mohan slammed Devlin, stating:“You have four-and-ahalf pages of previous convictions and astonishingly there’s no custodial sentences and astonishingly, you avoided jail in this case.

“This was callous and involved planning and the fact you said someone broke into your house and opened a bank account, that is utter rubbish, utter rubbish.

“Don’t try and pull the wool over my eyes.

“You have went to one meeting and were aggressive to staff. I have six pages of excuses for your noncompliance. I don’t think you realise how close to custody you are.

“This is a serious offence, it was callous and planned and you were found guilty after trial.

“I’ll give you one chance.”

Sheriff Mohan extended Devlin’s community service by six months and fixed a review to monitor his compliance.

“I’m looking for a glowing report. It’s up to you to get this work done, if you don’t, it will be revoked and you’ll be sent to custody.”

A review hearing was assigned for June 1.