A Dundee man has admitted stealing almost £10,000 worth of hairdressing equipment and cash from an award-winning Broughty Ferry barber.
Staff at Lovett’s Barbers were left shocked and upset after finding their hard-earned Christmas takings and brand new barbering accessories had been taken in an early-morning raid in January.
Multiple offender Kieran Hughes, 26, admitted breaking into the Gray Street shop and attempting to get into Tesco, Cafe Nero, Timpsons and the Salvation Army shop in a single night.
Hughes has been on remand since being arrested weeks after the thefts and has been subject to a serious assault while in prison, unrelated to his New Year’s actions.
Devastating break-in
Co-owners Emily Mckendrick and Liam Thomson returned to their shop on January 10 to find it had been ransacked, after Hughes smashed a back window to gain entry.
Depute fiscal Joanne Ritchie told Dundee Sheriff Court: “A shop worker opened the store at around 8.30am.
“Items were scattered across the floor.
“A small window in the staff toilet had been pushed in.
“Staff noticed items and cash missing.
“A total of £8,910 worth of equipment and money had been taken.
“There was no recovery.
“CCTV showed Hughes on Brook Street.
“He tried to use his body weight to open the door of Timpson’s.
“He also tried to gain entry to Tesco and the Salvation Army shop and Cafe Nero.
“He was out after his curfew.”
The court heard he also appeared with a knife at a home on Dunholm Road on January 22, where he threatened residents.
Prison assault
In mitigation, defence solicitor Anika Jethwa said: “He is 26, he has mental health and drug difficulties.
“All of these offences are drug-related.
“He has little-to-no recollection of these offences.
“He has struggled in the prison system, even though he is no stranger to it.
“He was the victim of a serious assault in prison.
“He suffered broken ribs and a fractured eye socket after being attacked by a cell mate.
“He has spent eight months on remand.”
Sheriff Lindsey Foulis said a custodial sentence was “inevitable”, as he sent him to prison for 34 months, backdated to January.
Owners relieved
Owner Liam Thomson said following Hughes’ conviction: “We are glad that’s it all resolved and the police were really good.
“We were proactive when the robbery happened and police caught the guy pretty fast.
“It is unfortunate we didn’t get any of our belongings or money back but it’s in the past now and we’re moving on.”
