A hapless thief has been jailed after being caught shoplifting in a supermarket on the same day he was freed from prison.
Shaun Dunn, 33, of Clement Park Place, admitted stealing a quantity of meat from Tesco on the Murraygate on Monday.
He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, struggling violently and uttering threats of violence at Murraygate on the same date.
Fiscal depute Lynne Mannion told Dundee Sheriff Court: “The accused had been released from Perth Prison that day.
“Around 3.30pm, an employee in the supermarket was informed by a customer they saw the accused putting packets of meat down his top.
“He was challenged by one of the employees but ran off.
“Three employees gave chase and managed to hold on to the accused until police were contacted and at that point two packets of beef fell from his clothing, with a value of £16.64.
“The accused wasn’t happy being stopped by the witnesses and lashed out with his arms and legs. The accused was shouting, ‘I’m going to come back and stab you when I get out’.”
Solicitor Paul Parker Smith said his client had a “substantial drug addiction” over a number of years.
He added: “He had been released from prison at 9am and come to Dundee, having intended to go to stay with his grandmother. En route he got in tow with some old friends and instead went for drinks. He had a good quantity to drink and after six months in custody it had a greater effect on him than what would normally occur.
“He remembers very little of the events that took place. He told me he was surprised when he was told what had happened. He knows that with this offence happening so shortly after his release a custodial sentence is inevitable.
“This incident was very unfortunate and fuelled by drink, rather than his opiate dependency. The value of the meat was about £17 and there was no injury to the people who pursued him.”
Sheriff John Rafferty said: “With your record, and the fact this happened on the day you were released from custody, the only thing I can do is impose a custodial sentence.”
Dunn was jailed for a total of six months.
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