Thief stole jewellery worth £67k in raids

A HEARTLESS crook stole jewellery worth £67,000 during a string of break-ins in St Andrews.

Mark Malone, 36, targeted the homes of members of the Chinese community over one night in March, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.

A commemorative coin marking Hong Kong’s return to China as well as thousands of pounds in cash and electrical goods were also stolen. None of the stolen property has been found.

It was revealed that Malone acted with a gang in committing the thefts in the hope of paying off drug debts.

A sheriff blasted Malone’s crimes and locked the serial offender up for almost three years.

“Society acknowledges that housebreaking is an appalling offence and you have been involved in four of them, causing heartbreak and their treasured possessions have been taken,” Sheriff Tom Hughes said.

Police traced Malone through DNA and he was arrested three months later where he gave a “no comment” interview to officers.

Malone also admitted a separate charge of stealing cash and jewellery after breaking into a home in Glasgow in January.

Prosecutors said they were unable to explain why members of the Chinese community of St Andrews had been targeted but accepted there was no evidence to rebut that it may have been a coincidence.

Appearing via video link from HMP Edinburgh, Malone pleaded guilty to all four charges on indictment.

Solicitor advocate Paul Haran incurred the wrath of Sheriff Hughes when he explained that Malone had no idea what had happened to the stolen property, which he had been paid to steal with the crime gang.

Mr Haran said Malone had been “self-medicating” through illicit drugs after being witness to a road traffic fatality last year.