A crack cocaine addict stole cigarettes and scratch cards from 11 different Fife shops in nine days, a court has heard.
Aaron Sinclair targeted Co-op shops in Burntisland and Dalgety Bay, Tesco and Asda stores in Dunfermline, a Morrisons in Glenrothes and a Sainsbury’s in Kirkcaldy.
The 32-year-old also stole from a Nisa Extra in Rosyth and a McColl’s shop in Dunfermline.
The offending, which in some cases involved stealing booze and food, took place between October 12 and 20 this year.
Sinclair, of Harbour Place in Burntisland, pled guilty to 12 separate thefts when he appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
Crack cocaine addict
Defence lawyer Heather Morrison said Sinclair is someone who has suffered a “great deal of trauma” in his life.
She said: “In the past six months he has suffered a real spiral in mental health.
“He is an addict, addicted to crack cocaine and (this) can explain the offending in question”.
The solicitor said Sinclair wants the chance to create a better life for himself and his family and to address his addiction and mental health.
Ms Morrison said her client’s most recent conviction was on November 1 when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Sentence for this matter was deferred until November 30.
Sheriff Charles Lugton told Sinclair he would release him on bail with considerable hesitation, adding: “If you come here again in similar circumstances, you are almost certain to be remanded”.
Sinclair became tearful as the sheriff made his decision.
Sheriff Lugton deferred sentence until December 7 for the production of background reports and Sinclair was released on bail, with a special condition to comply with bail supervision.
Shops targeted
Court papers state Co-op stores targeted by Sinclair included those in Burntisland‘s High Street and Dollar Road and in Lt. Sales Avenue in Dalgety Bay.
He also stole from Tesco stores in Dunfermline‘s Winterthur Lane and Aberdour Road, and Regents Way in Dalgety Bay, and from the Asda superstore at Halbeath Retail Park on two occasions.
Sinclair also took items from Morrisons in Glenrothes‘ Flemington Road and a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Kirkcaldy‘s Central Retail Park.
He also stole from a Nisa Extra in Rosyth‘s Queensferry Road and a McColl’s in Dunfermline’s St Andrews Street.
