A man smashed his way into a closed Perth supermarket and went wild in the aisles, causing more than £4,000 of damage.
Ewan Grant has been locked up for his 4am raid on the Fair City’s Edinburgh Road Tesco.
Perth Sheriff Court heard his bizarre supermarket sweep was caught on security camera.
The 31-year-old was filmed forcing open a cigarette kiosk, throwing around flowers and wine bottles and swapping clothes.
Grant even stopped for a sandwich break before he was caught red-handed by police.
Set off alarms
Fiscal depute Andrew Harding said the alarm at the shop went off just after 4.20am on Thursday, September 2.
“The store was closed at this time, having been locked up by staff at around midnight,” he said.
“The accused made his way onto the forecourt and entered the premises through a smashed window in the cafe.
“Police were called and the accused was traced on the premises and arrested.”
He said: “A large amount of produce including bottles of alcohol, flowers, chocolates and a telephone was damaged.
“Police recovered a top that the accused had been wearing, and also a brick which he had used to smash the cafe window.”
Caught on camera
Mr Harding said CCTV showed Grant entering the shop and walking to the customer services kiosk.
“He forced open the cigarette cabinet and took out a packet of cigarettes.
“The accused then went along the front aisle and took some flowers, picking the heads off them and throwing them.
“He then went back to the cigarette cabinet and removed his top, discarding it on the floor.
“There was clothing on display in the shop, which the accused put on.”
Grant snatched a phone from the customer service kiosk, and then took a sandwich from the chiller cabinet.
“He was seen walking down the aisle, swinging the phone he had picked up,” said Mr Harding.
“The accused removed a bottle of alcohol from a shelf and threw it over the till area.
“He went back to the alcohol aisle and pulled more bottles from the shelf.”
Grant also threw a bottle into the bakery area, Mr Harding said.
“This continued until the police arrived,” said Mr Harding.
“The accused was seen throwing items and ripping tags of clothes.”
The court heard Grant caused £4,000 worth of damage.
The value of the alcohol lost was £105.
Alcohol was consumed
Grant admitted a charge of damaging property and a second count of breaking into the store, forcing open a locked cigarette cabinet and stealing cigarettes, a sandwich and a top.
Solicitor Steve Lafferty said his client had “significant” personal problems leading up the raid.
“He was trying to get help from mental health and drug and alcohol services,” he said.
“He was worried that he could hurt someone.”
Mr Lafferty said: “He had taken alcohol at the time and he accepts full responsibility for what he did.”
Sheriff Eric Brown told Grant: “With some very considerable hesitation I will call for a report before sentencing you.
“That is without prejudice to the outcome.
“I’m not making any promises.”
Grant, of Drummond Crescent, Perth, was remanded in custody.
He will be sentenced on November 3.
