A serial thief who was caught rifling through an 80-year-old Perth priest’s bedroom has been jailed.
Alan Brown, who has a 666 tattoo across his neck, was found sitting on Father Charles Corrigan’s bed at historic St Mary’s monastery.
He helped himself to a handful of cash before being escorted off the property by the octogenarian clergyman.
The drug-fuelled raid was part of a 24-hour crime spree.
Brown also stole from a pub, broke into an elderly man’s home and tried to steal from a £350,000 lodge house, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
The 40-year-old appeared in the dock for sentencing, having admitted attempted housebreaking and three charges of theft on August 2 and 3, last year.
His solicitor said he was so high on drugs at the time, he remembers nothing of the offences.
Cycle of offending
Sheriff William Wood told Brown: “As you have correctly identified, only a further custodial sentence is appropriate.
“You simply cannot go around violating people’s property and their homes in this way.
“The sentence must reflect the seriousness of the charge and the fact that you are a persistent offender.”
Brown was jailed for 21 months.
He will be placed on supervision for 10 months when he is released.
The sheriff added: “It is to your credit that you have recognised what the triggers are.
“It is hoped that with some support, you will be able to beat this cycle of offending.
“You haven’t been able to have a decent life because you’re always in the jail.”
Revolving door
Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: “It cannot go unnoticed that he has a considerable record.
“The vast majority of offending relates to thefts and crimes of dishonesty.”
She said: “He has struggled with long-standing drug issues.”
The court heard he travelled to Perth at the beginning of August and met up with acquaintances.
Ms Clark said: “He took a quantity of Valium etcetera and quite frankly, he doesn’t recall much about what went on thereafter.
“When he was spoke to police in relation to all charges, he told them: ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.'”
She said illegal drugs were a catalyst for his offending.
“His inability to problem solve, combined with boredom and a lack of structure to his day, also play a crucial role in triggering his involvement in offending behaviour.
“I think that sums up why he is caught in this revolving door.”
One-man crime wave
The court heard Father Corrigan returned to his room at about 11am, after having refreshments with others at the monastery.
He found Brown sitting on his bed, going through his belongings.
Fiscal depute Michael Dunlop said: “He confronted the accused, who then, left escorted by Father Corrigan.
“When Father Corrigan returned to his room, he discovered £9 cash missing from his jacket and £10 change had been taken from a box on his desk.”
Brown was further caught on CCTV stealing a jacket from a staffroom at The Capital Asset Wetherspoons pub in Perth.
He was later seen trying to jemmy open a window to get into the Bowerswell Lodge, but fled empty-handed when he was confronted.
He then turned up at the home of a 72-year-old man in Bromptom Terrace and grabbed cash and tobacco.
Forensic officers were able to identify Brown – who has around 100 previous convictions – from blood he left at the scene.
