A brazen thief who was caught on CCTV swiping two children’s charity tins from Aberdeen businesses has been jailed.
David Lander made off with around £160 after he took the donation buckets from a city takeaway and a pub in just 10 minutes.
Yesterday, the serial offender appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted taking the cash, which had been earmarked for sick youngsters.
The court heard the 54-year-old had been visiting family in both Peterhead and Stonehaven.
But when he lost his return bus ticket he drunkenly decided to steal the sick kids’ funds in order to subsidise his ticket back home to Montrose.
Landen was caught on CCTV in Sizzlers on Guild Street casually breaking the chain around the charity tin before slyly placing it under his jacket.
He then collected his takeaway meal and headed for Wagley’s Bar in the city’s Exchange Street. There, he ordered a pint and waited until the staff had turned their backs.
Then, when the coast was clear, he lifted the collection tin for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and hid it under his coat too.
The court heard when CCTV footage of the thefts was released to the media a member of the public recognised Lander and contacted the police.
When officers searched his house they discovered the empty charity tins. None of the money was recovered.
Representing Lander, of Flat G, 97 High Street, Montrose, yesterday, solicitor Sheena Mair said her client had been drinking when he took the cash.
She said: “He was under the influence of alcohol and he took these items.
“He tells me he is sorry and has offered to repay the money.”
But the court heard that Lander had not registered with a doctor, meaning his benefits had been cut off.
Sheriff Donald Ferguson dismissed Ms Mair’s plea for a community payback order.
He said: “This has crossed the custodial threshold by a large margin. This was a mean and despicable offence and it’s important that you are jailed immediately.”