A housebreaker described as “a Jekyll and Hyde character” was snared by police when he left his wallet at the scene of a crime.
Lee Fairbairn appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted breaking into an Aberdeen property during broad daylight and stealing a television.
The 35-year-old was disturbed in the act by the homeowner, who he punched in the face and then fled.
However, he didn’t get away with it for long – police found that Fairbairn had left his wallet behind, which had his name and date of birth inside.
Fiscal depute Lydia Ross told the court that at around 9am on March 18 this year a couple were in their bedroom at their home in Aberdeen’s Cornhill Terrace when their dog started barking downstairs.
“The complainer walked downstairs and saw a male in the living room stealing his TV and taking it towards the door of the property,” she said.
“He challenged the accused and took hold of his TV to get it back.
“The accused retained possession of the TV and punched the complainer in the face, causing a cut to his top lip.
“The accused subsequently dropped the TV in order to escape.”
A struggle then ensued between the two men but Fairbairn managed to get free and run from the property.
Fairbairn also admitted a further charge of trashing his own property, whereby he began smashing a number of household items on August 9 this year.
When police arrived, he punched one officer in the face and had to be taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary due to his level of intoxication.
Fairbairn pleaded guilty to stealing a television and a further charge of assaulting the homeowner.
He admitted an additional charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and assaulting a police officer.
‘Under the influence he is a risk to everyone’
Defence agent Mike Monro told the court: “When we talk about someone being a Jekyll and Hyde character, my client fits that entirely.
“When he is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs I have no difficulty with him at all.
“However, when he is under the influence he is a risk to everyone and to himself.
“He knows this is a serious matter and is completely unacceptable.”
Mr Monro also stated that police were easily able to identify his client after he left his wallet following the burglary.
“He dropped his wallet and it had his name and his date of birth, etc,” he said.
“The police found the cards inside and picked him up.
“He had no recollection of it and when told what he had done he accepted it.”
Sheriff Lesley Johnston told Fairbairn that finding him in their home “must’ve caused considerable upset to the complainer and his family”.
She added: “It’s obvious to me that the charges on these complaints are a result of your alcohol addiction.
“You had to be told what happened and I can see that you have shown regret and that your alcohol problem needs to be addressed – these are serious charges.”
As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Johnston placed Fairbairn, of Jasmine Terrace, Aberdeen, on a community payback order with supervision for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 145 of unpaid work.
She also ordered him to take part in an alcohol treatment programme.
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