A woman who stole antiques worth over £13,000 from a country estate in north-east Fife has been told she could be facing imprisonment.
Sian Spittal (47), Thistle Street, Edinburgh, appeared on indictment at Cupar Sheriff Court and admitted that on January 22, 2008, she stole goods including a clock, vases, candlesticks and candelabra from Cambo House at Kingsbarns.
The case had been due to go to trial before Sheriff Charles Macnair and a jury on Monday, but a plea of guilty was tendered by the accused at the last minute.
Depute fiscal Laura Wright said that on the day the items went missing an employee at the house had noticed a male in the conservatory, and when he was challenged he said he was looking for a bathroom.
A short time later another employee had come out of an upstairs room and had bumped into a male and female.
She did not recognise them as guests at the estate and had thought it was “a bit strange” for them to be in part of the house which was normally used by staff and guests.
Later in the day a silver people carrier was seen going the wrong way down the drive at Cambo, and when the house was being closed up at the end of the day it was noticed the items were missing.
CCTV footage had shown the accused and a male in private areas of the house, and the male had been disguised with a cap and glasses.
The vehicle involved was found to have been previously associated with the accused, and several weeks after the thefts she had been interviewed by police.
At that time she had refused to name the male who had been in the house with her.
Sheriff Macnair deferred sentence on the accused until August 5, when community service and background reports, together with an assessment for a restriction of liberty order, are available for the court.
The sheriff added, however, that the offences are serious and involve items worth a substantial value.
He said a custodial sentence was in the forefront of his mind but, in the meantime, he would release Spittal on bail so reports could be prepared.
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Joanna Paterson.