The 20-year-old was caught drug-dealing two months after his release.

Easton was found in possession of more than £1,000 worth of drugs he intended to sell.

Sheriff Drummond hit out at Scottish Government policy while dispensing justice in Selkirk. He told the Borders town’s Sheriff Court: “We have a situation where, on both the custodial and non-custodial sides, the resources are not being applied and offenders are being released straight back into the community.

“I would be failing in my duty to the public if I did not make it clear that, in my opinion, judicial disposals are largely meaningless and the system is being brought into disrepute.”

Sheriff Drummond has delivered justice from the benches at Duns, Jedburgh and Selkirk for the past eight years. He added that a problem nationally with criminal justice resources meant a waiting list for community service affecting a significant number of offenders.

He explained: “According to the Social Work’s inspectorate agency, one third of councils have inadequate resources, whether due to staffing problems or funding issues. A combination of a shortage of resources for community-based disposals, and the way custodial sentences are dealt with, is bringing the system into disrepute, and my function is becoming a charade.”

Sheriff Drummond sent Easton, of Tweedbank, near Galashiels, to a young offenders’ institution for 17 months – 10 months of unexpired sentence and seven months for his latest drugs offences. Easton admitted being concerned in the supply of £40 worth of cannabis, and having £1,000 worth of cocaine with intent to supply, at High Buckholmside, Galashiels, on November 24.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told police stopped the car Easton was travelling in after an anonymous tip-off. Officers uncovered the drugs under his seat.

Last night opposition MSPs and victim support groups backed Sheriff Drummond’s criticism, warning Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill’s plans to free up jail space under home detention curfews would only add to the problems. Labour’s deputy justice spokesman Paul Martin MSP said: “This government is obsessed with reducing prison numbers as opposed to protecting the Scottish public.

“The Justice Secretary must think again.”

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken MSP said: “Sheriff Drummond is the first to speak out, but I know many sheriffs share his frustration and anger.

“The fact is that in Kenny MacAskill’s soft-touch Scotland, judicial decisions are effectively being changed. I have sheriffs seeing their sentences being reduced by three-quarters in some instances, simply to empty the jails.”

Victim Support Scotland spokesman David Sinclair said: “There is a genuine concern that by the time everything is taken into account for sentencing, coupled with early release, punishments are often not fitting the crime.”

Opposition MSPs have campaigned against the early release of dangerous criminals.

A rapist who struck again after being freed four years early from prison was jailed for life in March. Hector Riley raped his 40-year-old victim in her home in Knightswood, Glasgow, as her son slept in the room.

The attack came after he was freed on licence from a 10-year term for rape.

Opposition politicians said Riley was yet another example of the public being placed at risk.