Sheriff instructs jury to convict man of resetting an Xbox and computers
A Stonehouse man was last week found guilty of possessing stolen computer equipment which included an Xbox games console, a Hudl electronic tablet and two laptops.
Steven Johnstone (21), of Union Street, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing the equipment from the Hamilton John Street home of John Kane on July 29 last year while on bail on two separate matters.
He also tendered special defences of alibi and incrimination.
Johnstone stated he had been at his home with his mother at the time the alleged offence was said to have taken place. He also said the offence had been committed by Craig Connor.
Giving evidence at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Tuesday morning, Mr Kane said he had to go to a police station to pick up his Xbox on September 13 last year.
He was able to identify the Xbox as his as it had a tag with his initials ‘VJPK’.
However the Xbox, he said, was the only item which was returned to him.
Mr Kane also pointed out that he carried out repairs to door locks at his flat for which he paid £38.
He estimated the Xbox to be worth £400 when he first bought it and a Hudl electronic tablet to be £99. There were also two laptops which he said were “not worth much”.
A former sales assistant at the Hamilton branch of Cash Generators, Andrew Shields, told the court that a male had entered the shop with three others on July 29 last year.
Fiscal depute Paula Russell asked Mr Shields what he could recall from the visit. Mr Shields said he took the Xbox out of a bag and started setting it up.
He could not remember the face of the man who handed it in but did know the name, Steven M Johnstone.
Last Wednesday, following a direction from Sheriff Marie Smart, the jury unanimously found the accused guilty of reset.
Sentence on Johnstone was deferred until October 20 for a criminal justice social work report. Bail was continued meantime.
He could not remember the face of the man who handed it in but did know the name, Steven M Johnstone