An Angus housebreaker who smashed his way into a flat, raided a wardrobe and left an incriminating bloodstain on the bath has narrowly avoided imprisonment.
Serial offender John Galloway sliced his skin while scrambling through the bathroom window of the flat on Arbroath’s Sidney Street.
The unemployed 36-year-old broke into the ground-floor flat while its owner was out visiting his mother.
Galloway was ordered to complete unpaid work after admitting the theft.
He had returned to Perth Sheriff Court for a sentencing hearing before Sheriff Euan Duthie.
Struggled with lockdown
Galloway’s defence solicitor explained his client is planning to complete a course that would allow him to work on fishing vessels.
He said: “This offence occurred in June 2020, some three months into lockdown.
“It appears Mr Galloway struggled during that period.
“There wasn’t the face-to-face contact with various agencies.
“He tends to struggle in times like that.”
Sheriff Duthie said: “It was quite clear this was likely to be a custodial disposal.
“However, I have considered the terms of the background report.
“It is in society’s interest I give you that opportunity.”
Within the next year, Galloway must complete 270 hours of unpaid work.
He previously admitted raiding the flat on June 9 2020.
The court heard he has 48 previous criminal convictions for offences including public disorder, housebreaking, assault and theft.
Galloway, of James Street, Arbroath, was warned at the last hearing he could be locked up.
Then, he told the sheriff: “I am not the same man you see in those papers.”
Witness’ call to police
Galloway, who was spotted using a wheelie bin to reach the window, made off with bundles of clothes, cash and DVDs from the locked ground-floor flat.
At a previous hearing, fiscal depute Marie Lyons told the court: “Officers observed the damage to the bathroom window and smashed glass which was left in the bath.
“They also noticed blood on the side of the bath.”
The prosecutor told the court: “While they were at the flat, scenes of crime officers were made aware of an anonymous call to police.
“The caller stated she had witnessed a break-in at the property at about 1.35pm.
“She said she saw someone standing on a purple bin to gain access to a window.”
Ms Lyons said Galloway was traced by police later that evening in connection with an unrelated matter.
“At this time, it was noted he was wearing a camouflage jacket,” she said.
Some time later, police got a hit on the blood stain left on the bath.
“The blood swab was linked to the legally held DNA sample of the accused,” the prosecutor said.
