A sneak-in thief who targeted students in Dundee’s West End had an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of stolen property, a court has heard.
Robert John Alexander, who appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court on his 38th birthday, admitted stealing from four unlocked student flats he sneaked into.
He crept into homes in Brook Gardens, Daniel Terrace, Springfield and Horsewater Wynd between December last year and June this year.
The court heard in one incident Alexander sneaked into a lone female’s bedroom while she slept in the early hours of June 6.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court: “One of the female students was in bed when she was awoken by the accused opening her bedroom door.
“Upon seeing this young lady in bed the accused ran away.
“The young lady chased him out of the flat and down the communal close.
“She returned to the flat and did a search, including her flatmates’ bedroom and found a number of items missing.”
When police searched his room in hostel accommodation they found “an Aladdin’s cave” of stolen items, Ms Robertson told the court.
A clarinet worth £3,000 he had taken from the woman’s flat just half an hour before the police turned up was recovered, as were two laptops, a necklace and a set of keys taken from the Horsewater Wynd flat.
However, £700 worth of musical equipment, including two guitars, were not recovered, nor was an Xbox 360 taken from another flat.
Police did recover a £400 projector and mobile phone.
In another incident the court heard Alexander was caught stealing a guitar in the middle of the afternoon.
The court heard how he sneaked into the Springfield flat at 3.45pm on May 22.
Ms Robertson told the court: “One student was within his bedroom when he heard footsteps coming towards his door.
“He turned round and saw the accused pop his head around the door carrying a guitar.
“The student was taken aback by this and said ‘hello’ to the accused and then the accused quickly left.”
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael deferred sentence on Alexander for reports and he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on October 6.