A heroin addict stole jewellery as he raided the vacant home of a man who had died just three days earlier.
Thomas Currie, 52, had worked as a gardener for the man, who lived on the same street as him in Ballingry, Fife.
He was caught by a neighbour during the break-in at Kirkland Avenue in September last year.
He appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing having previously admitted stealing 21 collectible coins and a sum of money, a generator, a wheelchair, a wallet containing £135 and bank cards, a mobile phone, and garden equipment.
Currie’s defence lawyer, Stephen Morrison, said his client “could not be any more embarrassed and ashamed” about what he had done.
Sheriff Susan Duff said: “You rightly feel ashamed because it’s terrible thing to do to people, to a family grieving when someone has died”.
Ripped off dead man
Procurator fiscal depute Andrew Brown told the court the man had died on September 14 last year and Currie broke into his property three days later.
The court heard Currie, who also lives in Kirkland Avenue, had been paid to cut the deceased man’s grass and maintain his garden so had been in the property previously and was aware of the valuables it contained.
The fiscal depute said at around 11pm on September 17, a neighbour left their home to investigate banging noises from outside.
The fiscal depute said: “On looking through a slat in the fence they saw two figures in the rear of the garden.
“Both figures were using lights on their phones.
“The neighbour returned to the property and called 999.”
When police arrived, the pair, in dark clothing, were on the garden decking and Currie was attempting to lift a power generator.
French doors were open onto the decking and a wooden board – covering a window broken by police earlier to gain entry – had been removed.
Stolen goods were lying on the grass outside.
Drug addiction blamed
Defence lawyer Mr Morrison described Currie’s recollection of events as “not particularly great”.
He said a background report suggests he later “came to or sobered up” from substance-use in the police station.
Mr Morrison said although Currie is “respected within the immediate community” his family and others have made it known to him his behaviour is of “the lowest order”.
Mr Morrison said: “Perhaps through luck than design there was a full recovery (of stolen items) and the crime detected by the vigilance of the neighbour.
“That said, you will see Mr Currie since this happened and the day after release, sought help with drug addiction and is now on a Methadone reduction programme.”
Sheriff Duff sentenced Currie to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work and placed him on supervision for two years as part of a community payback order.
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