Thief who stole booze from Dundee supermarket after son was killed ‘to be given a chance’

William James O’Neill, 36, of Dens Road, had sentence deferred until December 4 for reports.

O’Neill admitted stealing a quantity of alcohol from Tesco Metro in Murraygate on November 4, while on bail.

Depute fiscal Isma Mukhtar said two bottles of alcohol worth £36.50 had been stolen and there was full recovery of the items.

Solicitor Ross Bennett told the court O’Neill had had a “pretty bad time of it”.

He added: “His six-year-old son had been killed in an accident and he is estranged from his partner.

“He was on a methadone programme but found it difficult to cope and hit the drink.”

Sheriff Alastair Brown told O’Neill: “If social workers say there is a chance for you, I will give you a chance.”