Two teenage boys made off with cigarettes and alcohol worth thousands of pounds during a series of shop raids.
The 16-year-olds, who cannot be named for legal reasons, caused thousands of pounds of damage during the break-ins in Charleston and Menzieshill between September and October last year.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that the pair stole goods worth a total of £3,888 from Brownhill News Costcutters on Brownhill Road, Charleston Supermarket on Craigmount Road, Paperchase Wholesale on Nobel Road and Tesco on South Road.
Both teens also caused £5,200 of damage to doors and windows.
Among the items stolen were 100 packets of cigarettes, as well as bottles of whisky, gin, vodka and rum. Headphones, smoking paraphernalia, electric razors and toy BB guns were also taken.
The thefts were caught on CCTV and often took place in the early hours of the morning when the pair forced open doors and windows.
After receiving reports of the break-ins during that period, police had reason to believe stolen property was at the addresses of both teens and found a number of items.
Solicitor Jim Laverty, representing one of the youths, told Sheriff Alastair Brown: “While I understand your lordship’s comment about a campaign of offending here, I’d ask you to see a lad who was 15 at the time, perhaps out of his depth, and what the reports will certainly show is that since his detention and arrest in connection with this matter, he has not come to the attention of the authorities.”
Sheriff Brown told the boy: “You have a significant risk of going away for a serious amount of time for these offences. You have to understand quite clearly what the position is.”
Sentence was deferred on both the teens until January 4 for reports.
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