An inept Dundee thief needed hospital treatment after breaking into a Douglas newsagent through a hole in the ceiling on Monday.
Andrew Cox (31) appeared in the dock on crutches on Wednesday and was sentenced to 10 months in jail by Sheriff Alistair Duff, who said, “He was caught about as red-handed as he possibly could be.”
Cox had committed the offence while out on licence from prison and the sheriff also ordered him to serve 66 days remaining from that earlier period of imprisonment before starting the new sentence.
Cox, of Balunie Drive, admitted the break-in at McColls Newsagent in Balmoral Terrace and the court heard he got away with £200 in cash and caused £1500 of damage to the shop.
Depute fiscal Carol Whyte said the break-in was discovered when a member of staff arrived to open the store shortly after 5.30am. Not only had Cox left behind his screwdriver and hat, he was caught on CCTV, he left a fingerprint on one of the cash drawers and a footprint was matched to a shoe at his home.
The security camera footage suggested that he had been hurt in the break-in and a check at Ninewells Hospital revealed he had indeed sought treatment, claiming he had fallen from a wall.
Cox’s lawyer confirmed his client had damaged bones in both his feet, as well as sustaining injuries to his hands and face.