Man used staff key to steal £1,600 from Red Lion Caravan Park

An Angus man stole more than £1,600 in goods and cash from a caravan park where he was formerly employed.

Daniel Westwood, 26, admitted stealing cash, cigarettes and alcohol worth £1,635 from the Red Lion Caravan Park in Arbroath on June 4.

Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said the premises had been secured by staff the previous night but they discovered the front door alarm was not set when they returned at 6.50am.

Internal doors were also open, which was unusual.

Police were called and footprints were found on the front door, suggesting attempted entry by force.

However, it emerged entry was gained by a true key, belonging to Westwood, who was identified after officers viewed CCTV footage.

Westwood, of Lamb Terrace, Arbroath, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court accused of theft alongside Gary Brown, whose not guilty plea was accepted by the Crown.

Defending Westwood, solicitor Bob Bruce said his client’s last offence was committed four years ago but he had encountered difficulties with alcohol following the break-up of a relationship.

Sentence was deferred until August 7 for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports and bail was continued.