A “desperate” Dundee dad was jailed on Christmas Eve — after trying to shoplift presents for his kids.
Ian Hamilton was caught red-handed stealing perfumes and aftershaves from a B&M Home store on Friday afternoon.
Instead of being able to hand over the stolen loot to his kids on Christmas Day, he was beginning a five-month prison sentence, which was handed to him on Saturday.
Hamilton, 42, of Murrayfield Terrace, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court from custody and admitted a charge of shoplifting.
The incident happened at the budget store in Kingsway East Retail Park at Milton of Craigie.
Fiscal depute Saima Rasheed told the court: “He was leaving the store with the items and was stopped shortly after.
“They were recovered and the total value was £143.92.
“He said sorry immediately on being restrained. He said it was pure desperation.”
Defence solicitor Anika Jethwa said: “He has a bad record. He has been in and out of prison in relation to thefts since 2008.
“He has long-standing difficulties in his life.
“He didn’t have any money to get anything for his children and that’s why he committed this offence.
“That’s why he said it was desperation.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Hamilton for four months and ordered him to serve a further 30 days of an unexpired portion of a previous sentence.
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