A GLENOCHIL prisoner, currently serving a six-year prison term for “torturing” another man, is to be released next month after being admonished for possession of a mobile phone.

Ross Gourlay (23) appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday (16 July), having previously admitted the charge in June.

His release date was set for 25 August and his lawyers had asked the court not to interfere with his liberation when sentencing.

Gourlay and his father Paul Farrell were jailed in November 2011 for slashing a man and pouring hot kettle water over him during a sustained attack in his own home.

The attack took place in Galashiels the previous March and the case went to trial at Edinburgh High Court.

Before he was locked up, sentencing judge Lord Tyre told him: “You have a truly deplorable record for your age. If anything you pose a greater risk to the public, following release, than your father.” Gourlay was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for his role, while his father was given eight years.

In June, he appeared before Sheriff Eric Brown on the mobile phone charge and his lawyer asked for Gourlay’s release date to be preserved.

He suggested a financial penalty may be imposed by the court to mark the offence.

However, the “net result” of this sentence, Sheriff Brown argued, would result in “no punishment at all” as the prisoner would not be able to pay the fine.

Instead, he ordered that criminal justice social work reports be carried out to help provide sentencing options.

Gourlay then appeared before Sheriff William Wood on Thursday, with his defence agent again applying for a lenient sentence.

She said: “It is clear from the report that he will be subject to very stringent conditions when he is released on license.

“He realises that if he misbehaves, in any way whatsoever, he will be recalled. It is entirely up to him whether he sees himself back in prison or not.” Sheriff Wood then admonished Gourlay, allowing his release date to be maintained for 25 August.