A callous crook jailed last year for stealing a family’s Christmas presents has been handed a new prison term — after sneaking into a property to steal Easter eggs.
Alexander Westwater was caught trying to make off with two Easter eggs and two chocolate bunnies from a house in East Haddon Road on Thursday last week.
He appeared from custody in the dock at Dundee Sheriff Court bruised and battered — with his lawyer claiming his victims had “meted out summary justice” and battered him with a hammer when he was caught.
And his misery was completed when a sheriff sentenced him to six months in jail over the crime.
Fiscal depute Laura Bruce told the court: “The householder had been working in her summerhouse, which she uses as a hair salon.
“She left it unlocked while she went back into the house.
“Half an hour later she noticed a figure in the summerhouse with a torch. Her partner returned and found the accused within it and restrained him.
“A check revealed he had placed two Easter eggs, two chocolate bunnies and a framed box containing cash tips in a bag ready to go.”
Westwater, 37, of Thurso Crescent, pleaded guilty to charges of theft and being found at a property in circumstances where it could be inferred that he intended to commit theft.
Solicitor Kevin Hampton said: “The Crown narrative says he tripped when he was apprehended but his position — and he’s not making a song and dance about it — is that summary justice was meted out and a hammer was used.”
Sheriff Tom Hughes jailed Westwater for six months and said: “Because of your record a custodial sentence is inevitable today.”
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