An Elgin man smashed his way into his aunt’s house and stole from her while he was high on drugs.
The town’s sheriff court heard yesterday that Mark Fraser, 39, broke through Elizabeth Fraser’s kitchen window before taking £300 in cash from a wardrobe in her bedroom last year.
However, he cut himself while forcing his way into the property on Maisondieu Road, Elgin, and police were able to track him by taking samples of his blood.
Fiscal Ruairidh McAlister said: “At 1pm on September 20 last year a neighbour of the accused’s aunt heard some banging from within her house and later observed Fraser in the garden of the property.
“When the complainer returned home she saw her kitchen window had been smashed, and noticed spots of blood on the wardrobe where her cash had been kept.
“When the accused was later arrested and interviewed he said he had no recollection of committing the crime as he had been using valium.”
Fraser, of 19 Collie Street, admitted breaking into the property and removing the cash.
Fraser’s solicitor Steven Carty said: “My client accepts his conduct here was grossly unacceptable.
“He also accepts the effect this has had on his auntie, who he was on good terms with prior to this offence.
“It is fairly evident that drugs were a problem for him at the time.”
Mr Carty said Fraser was now working with drugs agencies to tackle his addiction.
Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison ordered that Fraser complete 100 hours of community service in the next six months, noting: “The accused is now beginning to address his problems.”
