A man who sneaked into a recycling centre in the hope of stealing scrap to sell was caught on CCTV twice in the space of a month, a court has heard.
Przemyslaw Fratczak got into Elgin recycling centre through a hole in the tall security fencing and was looking for items he could make money out of.
His solicitor said the 38-year-old had been experiencing “increasing difficulties in his life at the time” and had hoped to find scrap items.
But Fratczak was caught by security cameras at the Moray Council-run facility in Chanonry South Road on both occasions.
Broke in twice in one month
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh said Fratczak first gained entry to the centre just before 1am on July 22 2020.
“This was later viewed on CCTV,” she said. “Again, on August 15 2020, when the accused returned to the locus and gained entry, he was again identified on CCTV.
“On both occasions, he didn’t have lawful authority to be there.”
Fratczak admitted two charges being found in premises without lawful authority and in circumstances where it may reasonably be inferred that he intended to commit theft.
Had eye on scrap to sell
His defence agent Ben Thom said: “He has been very candid in the report that at the time of both offences, which are very close together, he was experiencing increasing difficulties in his personal life including unemployment, homelessness, having no access to funds and issues with his mental health.
“He gained access through a hole in the fence. It’s the recycling centre in Elgin and he was looking for scrap items that had been discarded.
“He fully acknowledges he shouldn’t have been in that area for that unlawful reason.”
The solicitor added that Fratczak had no previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty, but acknowledged his client had other court appearances.
“These are at the lower end of the scale for Mr Fratczak ,” he added. “He is now on much more stable ground with a partner and stable home address.”
Mr Thom asked that his client be admonished, however, Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood handed Fratczak, of Mannachie Terrace, Forres, 50 hours of unpaid work.
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