Would-be copper thief sentenced after being caught red-handed in Perth childcare hub

A would-be copper thief was caught red-handed in an abandoned Perth childcare hub.

Edward Strachan was discovered with a bag of tools at the soon-to-be-demolished Early Childhood Centre.

His partner-in-crime Christopher Lindsay, was dangling through a hole in the ceiling.

33-year-old Strachan tried to talk his way out of arrest by telling police: “The door was open, so how can it be a housebreaking?”

Strachan, of Menzies Court, Perth, appeared at the Perth Sheriff Court and admitted entering the council-run McCallum Court facility on January 25 and attempting to steal a quantity of copper pipe.

He also admitted possession of cannabis in Welton Road, Blairgowrie, on July 3 2021.

Security guard found pair

Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton said a security guard was notified about a possible break-in at the childcare centre just after 11am.

He said: “He looked inside and saw a male climbing into the ceiling using a ladder.”

Police were called to the scene and caught Strachan and Lindsay in the act.

“There was a quantity of copper piping in a black bag on the floor,” said Mr Hamilton.

Officers also noticed a selection of tools including a hacksaw, torch and cordless drill.

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said: “This was a derelict building which has since been demolished.

“Mr Strachan and Mr Lindsay saw that the door was open and went inside.”

Sheriff David Hall, who noted the pair had “gone prepared,” sentenced Strachan to 100 hours of unpaid work and placed him on supervision for a year.

Co-accused

In April, Lindsay, from Blairgowrie, was sentenced for his part in the attempted theft, as well as a separate incident where he threatened a delivery driver.

Lindsay told police: “We hadn’t actually stolen anything – there was nothing stolen.”

The court heard from depute fiscal Andrew Harding in relation to the other incident: “He stepped out into her path and she stopped her vehicle.

“The accused approached the vehicle and leant onto the bonnet.

“He had his face right at the windscreen, looking directly at the complainer.”

Lindsay told her: “Don’t p*** me off. You’re dealing with a nutter here.”

He added: “I could flip this car. You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

The driver shouted back: “I haven’t done anything.”

He was ordered to complete 135 hours of unpaid work and told to address alcohol misuse issues.