A thief who smashed down the window of a sex shop and made off with a stash of bras and other lingerie has walked free from court.
William Neilson smashed his way into the Desire adult store on Albert Street in Dundee by breaking through the window with a brick at 4am last Thursday.
Neighbours heard a commotion and called police, who spotted him on CCTV.
Neilson was seen reaching through the broken window and picking up a series of items before taking a bag from a nearby bin and going back for more.
When he was chased by police he made off and was eventually caught with a pair of pants in his hand.
Officers later found a stash of almost £200 worth of bras, pants and high heels the 42-year-old had taken.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told Dundee Sheriff Court: “The accused carried items into Raglan Street, Dundee, where he removed a plastic bag from a bin and placed the stolen items within, before leaving it beside the bin.
“As police stopped beside the accused he looked at them and immediately ran and was pursued on foot.
“When he was apprehended police witnesses recovered a pair of knickers from the accused’s hand.
“Police were directed towards some large bins in Raglan Street where police recovered a quantity of lingerie and shoes from beside the bins.
“They were identified as being from the store and valued at £87.70. The damage to the window was £570.”
Neilson, 42, of Foundry Lane, Dundee, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft.
He further admitted a separate charge relating to another incident of opening a lockfast place with intent.
Jim Laverty, defending, said: “He’s put himself in a very embarrassing situation.”
Sheriff Alistair Brown, who previously remanded Neilson in custody and told him to expect a jail term, instead ordered him to undertake drug treatment assessment.