A man and a woman appeared in court yesterday, charged with breaking into a north-east charity shop and stealing nearly £1,000.
Michelle Bruce and Neil Tandy, who share a house in the Whinhill Terrace area of Banff, are accused of robbing Daniel’s Place in the town earlier this month.
The pair appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday and both pleaded not guilty to the charge of breaking into the thrift store on February 12 and stealing bags and a quantity of money.
Both Bruce, 34, and Tandy, 33, were on bail when the alleged offence took place.
Bruce also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of stealing a charity tin full of cash from Banff’s branch of Ladbrokes in the town’s Low Street.
Last night, investigating officer, detective constable Kate Coyle said: “I would like to thank the local community for their support and for all information provided to police throughout this investigation.”
In the days after the alleged robbery at Daniel’s Place, which helps fund a local food bank, charity chief Ian Lindsay accused the culprits of “taking food out of children’s mouths”.
Mr Lindsay – who estimated around £2,000 was taken – only moved his social enterprise into the Low Street in December and responded that some of the cash was earmarked to fund a new CCTV system.
The remainder would have been used for a local food bank scheme and community growing initiative.
The case has been continued and the pair will return to court at a later date.
