A thief who has spent just a year of his adult life at liberty is behind bars again — after breaking into two Dundee businesses and stealing from them.
John McCormick, 25, was put behind bars for a year after admitting to the Lochee break-ins.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that McCormick smashed a window at the office of Thompson Park Car Centre, Liff Road, on June 3.
After climbing inside, he then stole a computer tablet and cover.
Police found bloodstaining on net curtains around the window and DNA analysis showed it belonged to McCormick.
Fiscal depute Vicki Bell said: “Around 6.30pm a member of the public saw a tablet and case lying in a garden nearby. It was handed into police and the business owner later confirmed it was the same tablet which had been stolen.”
McCormick targeted the Ancrum Arms, Logie Street, shortly after midnight.
The fiscal said: “An alarm was triggered to say the pub had been broken into and police attended.
“They found a window smashed in the front door.
“Money was missing from inside and several coins were scattered across the floor.”
McCormick’s blood was found around the smashed window.
He was traced and told police he had no recollection of either incident as he taken Valium.
He told officers he knew he had done something because when he awoke his tracksuit top was ripped and he had cuts above his hands.
McCormick, a prisoner at HMP Grampian, admitted breaking into the office at Thompson Park Car Centre and stealing a tablet computer, on June 3, while he was on bail.
He further admitted breaking into the Ancrum Arms and stealing £170 cash.
Solicitor Kevin Hampton, defending, told the court McCormick had “clear difficulties” and an addiction to Valium.
Mr Hampton said: “He is very much institutionalised.
“Since he was 16 years old he has only had 12 months at liberty.
“He has moved from one prison to another.”
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