A man who broke into an Anstruther bookmakers claiming Albanian men had threatened him to pay off a friend’s drug debt has been jailed for six months.
Michael Kenny was found by police covered in plasterboard dust after setting off the alarm in Scotbet in Shore Street early on Thursday morning.
Depute fiscal John Adams told Dundee Sheriff Court: “At around 4am the accused attended the locus, placed a wheelie bin against the rear wall and climbed onto the roof.
“After entering, he landed on a table setting off the alarm.
“He was later traced nearby with plasterboard dust on his clothing and made a full confession to the police.”
Gabriella Notarangelo, who was defending Kenny, said: “He said he had received threats from Albanian men from Edinburgh to do with a friend’s drug debt.
“Two Albanian men came to his property uninvited and said he must get this sum of money ‘or else’.
“This is what ultimately led to committng this offence.
“His previous convictions have done him no favours.”
Kenny, 51, whose address was given in court as George Street, Cellardyke, admitted breaking into the betting shop with intent to steal.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro told him: “This was a very determined attempt to break into these premises, causing a great amount of damage.
“I’m not sure I believe what your solicitor said about the circumstances.
“Your record is sufficient to justify a prison sentence.”