A man who tried to break into a Highland jewellery store with an axe was jailed for two years yesterday.
Graham MacGillivray, admitted using the tool to strike a window at The Gem Box in Oban’s Corran Esplanade in an attempt to break in on December 10 last year.
The 41-year-old, of Moss, Acharacle, also admitted forcing open a locked car in Ardconnel Road, Oban, and stealing a pile of £1 coins, an air freshener and chocolate coins on the same day.
Oban Sheriff Court heard that MacGillivray had been staying in the Regent Hotel, along the street from the Gem Box.
He was recorded on CCTV leaving the hotel at 1.50am with his brother and a friend.
At 2.29am the Gem Box alarm was activated. At that time, a “shadowy figure” was seen on CCTV to wield an axe at the shop window before running off.
Police found MacGillivray sleeping outside of his hotel room door at 7am that morning.
On the floor scattered around him were £1 coins, a chocolate coin and a car air freshener.
Later that day a witness called into Oban Police Station to say that their car had been broken into and those items were stolen. An axe was found in the back seat.
Solicitor Graeme Wright said that when away from drink and drugs, panel beater MacGillivray was a hard working and valued employee.
Mr Wright said: “Valium was added to drink. A perfectly reasonable person can become a loon at best when these two things are mixed. When they are combined his behaviour is intolerable.
“There was an invitation to a party. He went with his brother and a friend. They ended up rooting around. An axe was found in a back street. One thing led to another and he ended up taking the axe and attempting to put it through the window at the jewellers.
“He accepts his behaviour has fallen short of that which is expected.”
Jailing MacGillivray for two years, Sheriff Ruth Anderson said: “I am taking into account the whole circumstances, your record and the fact you were in possession of an axe.
“I don’t believe for a minute you just happened to pick that up in some back street in Oban.”
