An Angus drug addict spiralled out of control after his vicious pitbull was destroyed for killing a small dog.
Derek Hutchins from Arbroath assaulted a prison officer, was arrested prior to a suspected break-in and robbed the same shop twice following the death of his pet.
The 28-year-old from Brothock Way was handed a deferred sentence at Arbroath Sheriff Court, when he was also facing a separate charge of possession of another dog while banned.
Hutchins admitted stealing food and alcohol worth a combined £108.97 from the Co-operative in Mayfield Terrace, Arbroath, on March 10 and 11.
He further admitted being found in the curtilage of a house in Ethie Place with intent to steal on March 19, and assaulting a G4S officer by punching him on the face on March 20.
Defence agent Angela McLardy said her client was upset at the demise of his dog, which he claimed was just a puppy.
“Mr Hutchins has taken that badly and though he has remained drug free, he has taken to alcohol,” she added.
“He states that is the reason for the offences that have been committed. He wants to apologise to the G4S officer involved and it is certainly not like him to be so readily violent.”
The assault on the prison officer came as Hutchins was being prepared for transport to court from Arbroath police station.
Sheriff Peter Paterson called for reports and deferred sentence until May 14.
He said: “This is a case where the court would be fully justified in imposing a custodial sentence.”
The separate case alleging that Hutchins had possession of a Staffordshire bull terrier cross between December 6 and February 19 was continued without plea.
He was banned from owning any dog and fined £720 on December 5 last year after his pitbull killed a small papillion dog named Holly, belonging to a 74-year-old pensioner.