A Monifieth man once accused of murdering his father was caught in a bizarre theft incident in Broughty Ferry.
James Donaldson was rumbled by residents rummaging through garages he had assumed were “abandoned” on Kerrington Street in June 2020.
He had taken a number of tools and a dog toy.
They were found in the basket of his bike by the garage owners.
After being caught, he said: “Oh, I am so embarrassed, this is mortifying.”
At Dundee Sheriff Court, he admitted a charge of theft by finding – stealing a quantity of tools without ascertaining the true owner’s identity to appropriate for his own use.
Residents saw torchlight
Depute fiscal Lee Carr told Dundee Sheriff Court residents near the garages had viewed a flashlight flickering in the darkness.
“It was around 10.20pm.
“Witness Mrs Miller was in her kitchen when she saw a flashlight moving near the garage of witness Ferrier.
“Both went on to the lane between Navarre Street and North Balmossie Street.
“They could not see anyone but did see a bike.
“Both witnesses approached the garage, where they saw Donaldson.
“He said ‘Are these garages not abandoned? I’m from Monifieth. I am so sorry, I am so embarrassed, this is mortifying’.
“Police caught up with Donaldson. He made no reply to caution and charge.”
A dog toy, saw blades and screwdriver were recovered.
Defence solicitor Anika Jethwa, in mitigation for Donaldson, 55, said: “He advises me he was cycling home.
“The garages can be accessed by the lane.
“He accepts he took items and put them into the basket of his bike, which he realises he should not have done.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael fined Donaldson £90 and imposed a victim surcharge of £10.
Murder charge
Donaldson was arrested and charged with murdering his father, Harry Murray, in 1995 and appeared on petition at Dundee Sheriff Court.
He was fully committed for trial over the allegation and spent 76 days on remand before being released.
Mr Murray, 59, died after being assaulted as he patrolled the factory site where he worked on March 31 that year.
Donaldson was never brought to trial but prosecutors have reserved the right to raise proceedings against him again, should new evidence come to light.
He has publicly appealed for the case against him to be formally dropped.
Donaldson is also a convicted sex offender who once who stood outside a 15-year-old boy’s bedroom in the dead of night and shone a torch in the window, while wearing a doctor’s coat.
He previously served a four-year prison term for sodomy and lewd, indecent and libidnous practices towards a 13-year-old boy in 1989.
