A Dundee crook made his way through the sheds of quiet Carnoustie streets last Christmas, making off with bikes and tools.
Robbie Bruce, broke into a number of locked sheds and stole bicycles and other property from people’s homes between September and December 31 2020.
He abandoned gloves and chisels at a number of houses he raided, leaving trace amounts of DNA, Forfar Sheriff Court was told.
Appearing from custody, he was jailed for eight months by Sheriff Alison Michie.
Tools and bikes recovered
He left most of his haul at his partner’s house, which was raided by police.
Depute fiscal Elizabeth Hodgson told the court: “She answered the door to say there were bikes in her shed.
“Police searched the shed and home.
“They found a Saracen bike, a Pendleton, an Apollo and a Boardman bike.
“They recovered chisels, a lawnmower, power tools and a rotovator.
“The search followed a spate of thefts in Carnoustie.
“Police returned, or are returning, the items to their owners.
“The complainers reported the thefts sporadically to the police, citing the bikes were there and then they were not.
“In one of the thefts, CCTV shows the accused.
“CCTV from across Carnoustie puts him near the addresses at the time in the early hours of the morning.
“Gloves and chisels belonging to the accused were found at one of the scenes.”
‘Significant drug issues’
Defence solicitor Billie Rennie, in mitigation for Bruce, said: “He has significant drug issues.
“He knows there will be no other option available to the court other than custody.”
Jailing him, Sheriff Michie said: “You broke into garages and sheds in a short time period.
“It suggests a course of conduct perhaps motivated by substance misuse.
“You do have a record. I have considered there are no options open as an alternative to custody.
“This has clearly breached the custody threshold.”
Bruce, of Balgowan Court, Dundee, pled guilty to seven charges of breaking into sheds, stealing bikes and tools, at addresses in Victoria Street, Taymouth Street, Gibson Street and Smieton Street in Carnoustie, between September and December 2020.
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