A teenager who stole catalytic converters from parked cars in Fife has been told to pay compensation totalling more than £5,000.
Logan Turner, 18, jacked up the vehicles at Halbeath and Ferrytoll park and rides and used industrial tools to remove the vital car component, which cleans up harmful gases before they exit the exhaust pipe.
He previously pled guilty to seven thefts and admitted attempting to steal a converter from a vehicle in Primrose Lane, Rosyth.
Procurator fiscal depute Azrah Yousaf told Dunfermline Sheriff Court Turner was detained following the review of CCTV recordings showing his thefts between March and May last year.
On one day, Turner targeted three vehicles.
The court heard the total value of the thefts and damage caused was more than £5,150.
Attempting to ‘help friend’
Turner’s defence lawyer, Stephen Morrison, said although his client is unemployed there is a “live prospect of paying compensation in full”.
Mr Morrison explained Turner was gifted money by family some time ago to buy vehicles and he “likes to do them up and sell them on”.
The lawyer said his client advises he owns three motorbikes, which he thinks could fetch thousands of pounds and a car worth about £1,500.
Mr Morrison continued: “He indicates he is prepared to sell as many of them as necessary to pay off compensation as a minimum.
“£5,154 is the full amount.”
The solicitor said a social work report contained an explanation of how Turner became “embroiled” in the thefts.
Such reports are not made public.
Mr Morrison said: “At his age he does not seem to have really thought things through, attempting to help what really now is a former friend”.
The lawyer said his client, with hindsight, would not have become involved but does accept full responsibility for the crimes.
Compensation
Sheriff Peter Anderson told Turner: “You are a young man with your whole life in front of you and are doing your best by this type of behaviour to make your future bleak.
“I accept some of what you did was stupidity and being easily led astray rather than malicious planning”.
The sheriff said the courts are reluctant to send young people to jail and had he been over 25, a prison sentence could have been imposed.
Instead, Sheriff Anderson made a compensation order for £5,154.
The sheriff also sentenced Turner, of Hillview Terrace, Crosshill, to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and made him subject to a 20-month supervision order.
Police Scotland has regularly issued warnings to motorists on social media in recent years about catalytic converter thefts, with thieves thought to be targeting the car part due to the precious metals contained inside.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
