Perth shopkeeper sold goods stolen from other stores

A man who sold stolen goods from his Perth shop in a bid to prop up his failing business has been given good reason to think twice about what he did.

Troy Burns, 46, of Pomarium Flats, pleaded guilty to selling shoplifted chocolates, fragrances and other toiletries at his ink cartridge shop, Ink Twice.

Perth Sheriff Court heard he had been caught after police questioned a shoplifter, who told them during the interview that he took his stolen goods to Burns’ premises.

When police attended the shop, they found several low-value items that were identified as having been stolen.

Burns’s defence solicitor said the shopkeeper had realised the goods were stolen after looking them up online and noticing they were worth more than he had paid for them.

The lawyer said: “He clearly realised, but did nothing about it. His business was failing and he thought he could sell the items quickly to prop up the business.”

Sheriff Michael Fletcher fined Burns, who is on benefits, £350, which he has been ordered to pay in instalments of £10 per fortnight.