A teenager who stole purses from the handbags of three women at an Angus nightclub was fined at Arbroath Sheriff Court.
Dale Powell (17), of The Avenue, Girvan, admitted the thefts at the Yard Nightclub in Montrose between January 28 and 29.
The court heard Powell had been sitting next to women in the club before lifting the purses.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said, “The first complainer, who had been seated next to another witness, stated that she had been suspicious of the accused sitting next to her and believed he was trying to touch her. “After a short time she checked her handbag and realised her purse had been stolen.”
The second woman was unaware she had been robbed until checking her purse around 9am on January 29. She had been aware of the complainer sitting in the smoking area of the club with his arm around his first victim.
The third woman became aware her purse was not in her handbag at an unknown point during the night however, it was later found in the yard behind the smoking area.
Witnesses identified Powell who was later found with around £100 in notes and £37 in coins.
In reply to police caution and charge he stated, “I’m sorry I am in debt and this is the only way I could think of to get out. I took three purses but that was it.”
Sheriff Derek Pyle said, “I have to say I am very close to getting background reports because this was a substantial act of theft.”
Powell was ordered to pay £740 in fines and compensation.