A teenager who was caught breaking into an Angus legal highs shop is addicted to the harmful products, Forfar Sheriff Court heard.
Reece Walters, 19, who offered no address in court, appeared from custody and admitted breaking in to Evape-o-lution in Montrose High Street on Saturday and stealing a quantity of e-cigarettes.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy told Sheriff Pino Di Emidio that the shop sold, among other things, legal highs.
Staff had secured the premises and shortly before midnight, the accused was seen by a member of the public at the shop.
The witness had told how they had seen Walters kicking at the glass door of the shop, before walking away, only to return again, kicking the pane of glass until it broke.
Ms Kennedy said: “He entered the premises through the broken door and approached the cigarette kiosk and removed a quantity of e-cigarettes.
“Police officers, alerted by members of the public, were making their way to the locus and the accused was exiting through the same broken door as they arrived.”
Walters was arrested, cautioned and charged, having stolen £39 worth of e-cigarettes and caused £139 worth of damage to the shop.
Walter’s defence agent said his client was offering the court no bail address.
The accused, he said, recognised he had problems arising from his addiction to legal highs that required to be addressed.
He hoped to access the appropriate medical assistance to address those issues. In the meantime, he made no motion for bail.
Sheriff Di Emidio asked if Walter’s solicitor had any doubts over his client’s capacity to instruct him about his wishes.
He did not, but did have concerns for his general welfare.
The sheriff told the accused: “You have pled guilty and I understand you are not offering any bail address at this time, which cuts down my options. There isn’t any other option available to me other than to remand you in custody.”
He advised Walters that, if he had any concerns about his health, he should inform the authorities wherever he was remanded.
Sentence was deferred until March 19 for reports.