A London crook left bloody fingerprints all over one of his crime scenes during a 48-hour spree in Broughty Ferry.
Michael Hart, 41, who is originally from Dundee but now lives in the capital, has multiple convictions involving drugs, violence and theft and has spent time in prison both sides of the border.
He admitted his latest Tayside crimewave at Dundee Sheriff Court, where he pled guilty to six charges.
Working with an unknown female accomplice, Hart barged his way into a kitchen design studio, a popular pub, a supermarket and a veterinary surgery and tried to get into a beauty salon in March 2021.
Police were able to trace him at various points on his ill-fated crime journey using local CCTV and Hart’s DNA left at different spots.
Showroom raid
Depute fiscal Lynne Mannion told the court luxury kitchen showroom Selan Design on Union Street, Broughty Ferry, was first to be hit.
“At the time of the incidents, the accused was visiting Dundee.
“On March 5 2021, the witness at Selan Design left, leaving the premises secure.
“At around 5am the witness received a message on his phone that a motion sensor had gone off in the office.
“At around 8am the witness went to the property and found glass on the floor and bloody fingerprints left in left in the office.
“Blood found at the scene matched the DNA of the accused.
“Staff noticed a webcam and mobile phone had been taken.”
Pub hit
Ms Mannion continued: “At around 5.34am CCTV footage showed the accused and the female outside the Anchor Inn, on Gray Street.”
The bar had been closed since Christmas day 2020, until March 1, in keeping with Covid-19 rules.
“On March 8, a member of staff checked CCTV and found the accused and a woman recorded in the early hours of March 5.”
This was close to the time they had been spotted on Queen Street, wearing the same clothing, including a Covid facemask.
Ms Mannion continued: “The footage showed the accused lifting two panes of glass to gain entry.
“Bottles of alcohol were taken.”
On the same date, the pair broke into Wallace Vets on Queen Street, where they took a business cheque book.
Supermarket and nail bar
On March 7, Hart and his accomplice broke into Nisa on Claypotts Road and took £200 was taken from one of the tills.
CCTV showed Hart and the woman trying to break into the Duchess Lounge, a nail bar next door to the shop.
Again, DNA taken from Nisa matched that of the accused, the court heard.
Officers on routine patrol in Broughty Ferry on March 9 recognised Hart, who was walking brazenly through the town.
He was arrested and charged.
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown deferred sentence for reports until June 7 and remanded Hart in the meantime.
She warned him, given his record, a period in prison could be imposed.
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