A thief was caught after spending the night trying door handles and breaking into homes from which he stole an Xbox games console, booze, cash and the keys to a work van.
Lennon McAlpine pled guilty to committing a string of thefts and intended thefts in Glenrothes street on April 2 and 3 this year.
The 22-year-old also admitted later assaulting police officers, including repeatedly punching one on the head.
Procurator fiscal depute Claire Bremner told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court one property owner in the town’s Waverley Drive saw McAlpine on her security camera “trying the handle” of her locked door, shortly after 12:20am on April 3.
Police carrying out enquiries later that morning also saw him on camera trying another person’s door.
McAlpine entered another unlocked property in the street during the night and stole a Samsung phone.
He entered the home of another man, who woke to find him standing in the hallway at around 4:15am.
He was chased out of the Ivanhoe Drive property but his Xbox games console, controller and games, £100 and two bottles of alcohol were missing.
He also stole a set of car keys and vehicle.
Court papers state McAlpine was acting with another during the two thefts.
He was found by police at someone else’s home, lying on a bedroom floor with the Xbox and keys.
McAlpine also pled guilty to assaulting four police officers.
This included spitting at their faces and repeatedly punching one constable in the head to his injury.
Sheriff Alastair Brown adjourned sentencing to August 16 for the production of background reports and McAlpine was remanded in custody.
Slaughterhouse stalker
Twisted stalker James Christie told his ex-wife he had hired a hitman to murder her daughter. The 36-year-old slaughterhouse worker from Perth, subject to one of Scotland’s longest non-harassment orders, bombarded his victim with menacing emails and voicemails and told her: “I would see you in a body bag.”
Deliver-ooft
A Deliveroo rider due to be sentenced for a police assault and other matters was hit by a car as he cycled to court.
David Kaylor was rushed to Perth Royal Infirmary following the accident on Wednesday morning.
The 29-year-old had earlier admitted shouting and berating his girlfriend outside her home in Almondbank on Valentine’s Day this year.
The following day, he attacked a police officer, who was sent to home to check on concerns about his partner’s welfare.
Kaylor, of Spoutswell Drive, Scone, appeared in court on February 16 and was released on bail.
He was ordered to stay away from his partner. but hours later, he turned up at her home and called through the letterbox.
Solicitor Pauline Cullerton, defending, said: “I was expecting Mr Kaylor to be here, but we received a telephone call to say that on his way to court this morning he was knocked off his bike.
“He is currently en route to PRI.”
Sheriff Euan Duthie said: “I’m sorry to hear that.”
He deferred sentence until October 13.
Kaylor had previously pleaded guilty to behaving in an threatening or abusive manner on February 14, and assaulting a police officer the following day.
He also admitted a breach of bail conditions on February 16.
The court heard that Kaylor had been out of trouble since his last offence.
‘Killed’ traffic sign
Drink-driver Mia McGair, caused an early morning crash in Fife, has been banned from the roads. She was more than four times the limit when she flattened a traffic pole in Kennoway and was told by a sheriff she was “fortunate” she had only “killed” the street sign and not a person.
Angus arsenal
Shaun Conway, 22, appeared last week in connection with the alleged theft of an arsenal of firearms from a property in Angus.
He is accused of taking guns and ammunition from an address in St Malcolms Wynd, Kirriemuir, on May 31.
It is alleged he stole a Browning semi-automatic .22 rifle, a BRNO bolt-action .22 rifle and an Anschutz .17HMR rifle.
Conway is further accused of stealing three scopes and three silencers.
Prosecutors alleged 400 rounds of .17 ammunition and nine magazines were also taken.
Conway, of Prosen Road, Kirriemuir, is also accused of stealing a galvanised box, three gun cases, a shotgun licence and a firearms licence.
He faces a further charge of having the firearms and ammo without a certificate.
Conway also faces allegations he was in possession of cocaine.
He denied all charges when he appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court.
He was released on bail and a trial was set for September.
Prison assault
A jailed drug dealer grabbed a prison officer in a “bear hug” during a disturbance at HMP Perth. Neil Phinn, from Dundee, assaulted the guard when he tried to seize a tiny package of tobacco.
Dog died
A pet dog died after it was badly neglected by its owner.
Jason McAndrew, 46, of Marketgate, Arbroath, admitted last week at Forfar Sheriff Court causing his dog unnecessary suffering and failing to provide appropriate care and treatment.
The court heard the dog, Mac, had fractured teeth, an infected wound and dermatitis.
According to court papers, the dog is now deceased.
McAndrew pled guilty to causing suffering by “an act or omission” between October 8 and 22 2020.
The case was deferred until August 4.
Lead raid
A masked raider who stole thousands of pounds worth of lead from a historic Perthshire estate was caught by DNA left on a broken security camera. Rolands Zeiliss was part of a gang which plundered tonnes of metal from the roof of the old stables building at Belmont Castle, near Meigle.
The full caseload of the Dundee Crime and Courts Team can be found here.
