A “despicable” thief smashed a charity shop window with a brick and loaded £3,000 of electronics into a wheelie bin which he pushed all the way home.
Alexander McDonald broke into the British Heart Foundation furniture and electrical shop on Union Street in Aberdeen in the early hours of the morning.
The 42-year-old filled a large, red wheelie bin with thousands of pounds worth of electrical appliances, including televisions, blenders and stereo equipment.
But the unsophisticated thief was soon caught after leaving a trail of stolen goods and blood stains which led police officers straight to the door of his flat on Baker Street.
McDonald’s defence solicitor later told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that his client was “desperate” at the time of the break-in with a “bad drug habit”.
The court had previously heard that the break-in first came to light at 7.20am on December 2 last year when the warehouse manager arrived at work.
Fiscal depute Lynne MacVicar said: “The front door had been smashed and there was glass strewn across the pavement.
“A large brick was found inside, two metres from the front door.”
Police were contacted and it was noticed that a “large amount” of electrical goods had been stolen, along with a red rubbish bin.
Caught on camera
Ms MacVicar added: “Police reviewed CCTV which showed the accused at 2.13am on December 2 2021 on Summer Street, Aberdeen, pushing the red bin, which appeared to be heavily loaded with various items.
“The bin was found in the basement area of a block of flats on Baker Street.
“Several of the stolen items were also found on the communal hallway of the first-floor landing.
“Most of these items had apparent blood staining on them. Blood staining was noted to be present on the door of a flat and officers were present when the accused tried to leave the flat.
“Further suspected stolen property could be seen within and the accused was arrested,” the fiscal depute explained.
Police later recovered items including a hi-vis vest, DVD players, televisions, games consoles, a laptop and various home furnishings, during a search of McDonald’s home.
The accused then made a full admission when he was questioned by officers in his police interview.
He said: “I am very sorry and was desperate, I had a habit and I am willing to pay a fine for the door”.
‘Despicable to target a charity’
An accurate valuation and exact details of the stolen items were not available because the charity did not carry out detailed stock checks.
However, staff estimated the stolen property to be worth around £3,000, the court was told.
McDonald, of Great Northern Road in Aberdeen, pled guilty to theft by housebreaking.
His defence agent Chris Maitland said: “There’s really little that can be said other than to echo his apologies.
“He feels bad for what he did and felt desperate at the time. He was struggling to get by on benefits but also with a bad drug habit.
“He pled guilty at an early stage and shows what appears to be genuine remorse.”
Jail sentence
Sheriff Andrew Miller said: “In my view, this offence calls for a significant sentence of imprisonment, having regard to your record and the nature of this offence.
“I appreciate you’re somebody dealing with a drug habit, but it’s a particularly despicable act to target the premises of a charity raising money for good causes.”
McDonald became agitated in the dock as the sheriff spoke and interrupted him, saying: “I wasn’t targeting it” – among other incoherent mumbles.
Sheriff Miller imposed an 18-month prison sentence and McDonald was taken away in handcuffs as he continued to protest.
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