Pair sentenced for stealing Mercedes van’s exhaust

A man who stole a van exhaust in an opportunist crime has been jailed for nine months.

Christopher Higgins, 35, of Mossgiel Crescent, Dundee, appeared for sentencing on Thursday before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar alongside co-accused William Stewart, 20, of the city’s Teviotdale Avenue, after they admitted stealing a catalyser and exhaust from a Mercedes van on Restenneth Drive, Forfar, on February 2.

Stewart also admitted possessing a lock knife.

Stewart, the court was told, is a mechanic and had inadvertently had the lock knife with him.

Sheriff Veal said: “There is a big difference between the two accused. Mr Higgins has 26 previous convictions and this was committed when he was subject to a tag.”

He jailed Higgins and imposed an 18-month Community Payback Order on Stewart, including 200 hours of unpaid work.