Jailforwould-be thiefwhotriedto breakintohomes

An alert neighbour and CCTV foiled a would-be thief who tried to break into homes in Blantyre and Bothwell.

Martin Owen, 47, was jailed for 15 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

He admitted attempting to force entry to houses in Station Road, Blantyre, and Blantyre Mill Road, Bothwell, on September 15.

Jennifer Mclaren, prosecuting, said the occupants of the house in Station Road were on holiday at the time.

A neighbour was checking the property about 3pm on the Sunday afternoon when she was “startled” by the accused, who was coming out of the back garden.

Ms Mclaren told the court: “He almost bumped into her. He said he was looking for Steven Brown, but the neighbour said no one of that named lived there.

“She noted the accused had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet, but was afraid to challenge him.

“However, she called the police and provided a description.

“About 3.15pm the accused was seen on CCTV entering the rear garden of a house in Blantyre Mill Road.

“He used a large screwdriver to open patio doors and a kitchen window.

“He tried to slide open the doors, but was disturbed by the owner opening the electric gates of the property. He then jumped over the fence.”

Ms Mclaren said Owen was arrested in Bothwell and told police officers he was sorry “for anything I’ve put you through”.

She said the damage to the patio doors of the Blantyre Mill Road house was estimated at £800.

Owen’s solicitor said the dad-of-two normally lives with his wife in Blantyre but has been in custody since his arrest.

He has a record for crimes of dishonesty and a “longstanding” drug problem.

The solicitor added: “He’s suffered a number of bereavements over the last year which caused him to be depressed.

“On this day he had taken street valium and he has little recollection of events.”

Sheriff Douglas Brown cut Owen’s prison sentence from 20 months to 15 because of his guilty plea.

It was backdated September 16. to