Thief jailed after targeting vehicles

Broke into parked cars on Coatbridge street

A brazen thief – whose eclectic haul of items stolen from parked cars included a sat-nav, passports, Euros, football boots and fishing rods – has been jailed for three months.

Leslie Anson targeted the vehicles on Dunbeth Road in Coatbridge on September 25.

The 47-year-old initially entered one unsecured vehicle and stole a host of goods, including a torch, first aid kit, sat-nav, a sum of cash, a bag and two passports.

He then committed a similar offence elsewhere on the street and swiped a jacket, a car log book, necklace, Rayban sunglasses, CDs, a pair of gloves, football boots, camping equipment and two fishing rods.

Anson was caught after being reported to police by suspicious members of the public and placed under arrest.

He owned up to the thefts and after a deferral for a restriction of liberty assessment, returned to Airdrie Sheriff Court for sentencing last week.

The procurator fiscal told the court: “During the early hours of the morning, members of the public contacted the police to report a group of suspicious males looking into cars and were under the impression they were going to break into the vehicles.

“Police attended the scene and traced the accused, who had a container with two passports, a sat-nav, torch, football boots, first aid kits and other items.

“A search was carried out and officers found a bronze-coloured necklace in the accused’s trouser pocket, to which the accused replied, ‘what’s that?’

“Everything taken appears to have been recovered.”

Defence l aw y e r John McGeechan then spoke on Anson’s behalf: “He presents as a difficult client in terms of persuading the court not to send him to prison.

“His record is not good. He has a history of drug problems.

“He knows too many people and was asked to carry the box [of stolen goods].

“My client is trying to take steps to get away from his difficulties. He has a community payback order review on January 3 and will look to show he has made further progress by then.

“He is attending Cocaine Anonymous and presents himself today as not under the influence.”

But Sheriff Frank Pieri felt he had no alternative but to send Anson, of Bellshill, to prison: “I hear everything that has been said on your behalf, but I can only deal with this by way of a custodial sentence.

“Had you not pled guilty at the earliest opportunity it would have been five months; instead you will be sentenced to 100 days.”