An Aberdeen man stole hundreds of pounds from two city eateries during a series of break-ins.
Conor Hall appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted forcing his way into and stealing cash from The Manchurian on the city’s Causewayend on two occasions.
During the latter incident, the 23-year-old took the Chinese restaurant’s till and carried it back to his flat – leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Hall, of 84 West North Street, Aberdeen, further admitted breaking into Duthie Park Restaurant on October 25 last year, stealing £30.
He also attempted to break into the premises in the city park on November 10 last year, intending to steal the tip jar – before turning himself into the police.
An estimated £800 of damage was caused by Hall’s actions.
The first incident at The Manchurian took place on April 13 and the second on April 17 and 18 whilst on bail previously granted by the court.
Yesterday, fiscal depute Ruaridh McAllister, said the first incident at the Duthie Park restaurant had been unearthed by an employee.
He added: “The police were notified and, following this, the employer carried out some repair work to the doors.
“On November 11, damage was done again to the same doors. Someone had attempted to gain entry to the property.
“However on December 2, the accused came in voluntarily to (the police’s) Queen Street offices and told officers he was the person responsible for both incidents.”
On the April 13 break-in to The Manchurian, Mr McAllister said: “They went inside and carried out a check and noticed that £100 in notes and £140 in pound coins had been taken.
“There was a similar situation on April 17 when further damage had been caused to the locus. There was a trail of blood from the window.
“Swabs were taken. DNA of the swabs come up as a hit for the accused. He was thereafter detained and interviewed.
“In relation to this second break-in the till from the restaurant was taken. The broken till was still within his flat. The till was found to be covered in blood.”
Representing Hall, solicitor Bob Anderson said his client was “a man of certain difficulties”, adding: “He’s under no illusions that what he has done is serious.”
Sheriff Margaret Hodge placed him under supervision and ordered he carry out 50 hours unpaid work.
