An opportunistic thief has been jailed after riding off with a Poundstretcher worker’s £6,700 bicycle.
William Hanratty helped himself to the unsecured bike outside the Great Northern Road store.
The 39-year-old, who stole it to sell for drug money, was seen pedalling away as the staff member stepped outside due to a fire alarm going off.
Fiscal depute Ryan Diamond told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At 11.50am on May 6, the owner of the bike commenced his shift at the locus.
‘He’s not particularly proud of his record’
“He left his bike, valued at approximately £6,700 insecure against a railing.
“At 5.40pm, the fire alarm was activated. The owner of the bike left the locus and saw the accused making off on his bike.”
Police were contacted and given a description of Hanratty.
The following day, police contacted Hanratty regarding an unrelated matter and identified him as the thief.
‘It’s inevitable today that you receive a custodial sentence’
The bike was not recovered.
Hanratty, of Oldcroft Place, Aberdeen, pled guilty to a charge of theft.
Defence agent Alex Burn said his client had recently been handed a 20-month jail sentence over a separate case, which also involved stealing bikes.
He explained Hanratty had issues with drugs and committed “crimes of dishonesty to fund that habit”.
Mr Burn said the theft was “opportunistic”, adding: “He sees the bike, it’s lying there insecure. He sells it to purchase more drugs.
“He’s not particularly proud of his record or the lifestyle that led him into these difficulties.”
Sheriff Leslie Johnston told Hanratty: “It’s inevitable today that you receive a custodial sentence. You know that.”
She jailed him for six months.
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