A Fife housebreaker who targets pensioners was caught trying to break into an old lady’s home the day after he was freed from jail under special measures brought in because of Covid-19.
Christopher Wilson, 34, was spotted by the 83-year- old woman’s neighbours twice in 15 minutes trying to lever off the surround to her back door in Sauchie, Clackmannanshire.
The incident, on May 7, occurred less than 24 hours after Wilson’s lawyers successfully responded to an invitation from the Crown to apply for bail for their client.
He had been remanded in custody in January in relation to a break-in at another 83-year-old woman’s home in Kirkcaldy, and being found on a street in the town with an “ornamental dagger”.
Ronnie Hay, prosecuting, said Wilson was filmed by the occupier’s neighbours trying to force his way into her home after she had gone out shopping.
Mr Hay said one of the woman’s neighbours was working in his shed when he saw Wilson taking the weather bar off her back door with a hammer and crowbar.
He challenged him, and Wilson gave a false name and brazenly claimed he was “fixing” the door after a previous break-in.
He left, but returned 15 minutes later and tried again – before being challenged by another neighbour and leaving again.
Police were phoned and Wilson’s van, which had been photographed by the neighbours, was found by officers on mobile patrol near Saline, and Wilson was arrested.
Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court by video link from Low Moss Prison, Wilson, a father of three, described as “a self-employed roofer”, of Myrtle Crescent, Kirkcaldy, pled guilty to two charges of theft by housebreaking; one of housebreaking with intent to steal; and one of carrying bladed weapons.
He also admitted driving while disqualified, and without insurance.
Solicitor Paul Parker-Smith, defending, said the offences were “drug related”.
Sheriff Derek Hamilton jailed Wilson for 31 months and banned him from driving for six years and four months.
