A north resident who was away on holiday came home to a solved crime that he was not aware had happened – after police found valuables from his house in the possession of a shoplifter they picked up.
Jason Cochrane, who had just stolen over £400 worth of goods from a supermarket, was caught by officers with his haul from an earlier break-in.
But the householder wasn’t aware his property had been broken into because he was on holiday.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told yesterday that police activated an iPhone and a tablet found in 27-year-old Cochrane’s possession and were able to break the bad news to the owner.
Cochrane appeared from custody before Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood and admitted stealing fragrances and a set of headphones from Tesco on July 19 this year.
He also admitted breaking into a house in Woodside Crescent between July 15 and July 19 and stealing the electronics, clothes, trainers, toiletries and a rucksack.
Fiscal depute Roderick Urquhart told the court: “An off-duty employee of Tesco saw Cochrane leaving the premises about midnight with a carrier bag.
“The security sensors were activated and he shouted “stop”. Cochrane ran off, dropping the bag. It contained items valued at £425.
“Police had his description and he was arrested about 20 minutes later. When he was searched, he had in his possession all the items which had been taken from the house.
“The police then contacted the owner who was on holiday by switching on his phone and tablet to identify him.
“He had gone on holiday on July 15 and had left his kitchen window slightly open which was how Cochrane gained entry.”
Defence lawyer Graham Mann said: “There was full recovery and no damage. They were offences of opportunism committed by my client who has difficulties with misuse of drugs and mental health.”
Sheriff Fleetwood backdated sentence to July 20, when Cochrane was taken into custody.
