Drug addict who stole from cars to feed habit is jailed

Opportunist tried motor doors to find loot

A former council worker who swiped a handbag after pulling at car door handles has been caged for a year.

Colin Clark, 39, was nabbed after his victim’s partner chased him and cornered him in the street.

He was put on a curfew after he was caught, but thumbed his nose at the law by flouting it just weeks later.

Clark admitted the theft and trying to force his way into other motors when he was sent down at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Frank Clarke told how the yob was spotted after families heard him rattling at the doors of a line of parked cars.

He said: “They continued to observe him as he approached a vehicle, which was unsecured.

“He opened the driver’s door and entered.

“He was seen to be looking around and leaning over towards the glove box.

“He was then seen to leave the vehicle and open the boot.

“He began looking through a dark- coloured bag, which was taken, and headed off.

“The owner was told what occurred by witnesses and police were called.

“He was followed by the owner of the vehicle.

“Her partner caught up with him and approached the accused.

“He grabbed the bag, which he had over his shoulder, and passed it back to his partner.

“There was a struggle and they both fell to the ground.”

Clark claimed the bag belonged to a “pal” after he was collared around 10pm in Affric Drive, Paisley, on May 11.

Money taken by the drug addict was never recovered.

The court heard he has an “extensive record” for stealing to feed his drug habit.

Police arrested Clark and he was bailed, but placed on a curfew, barring him from leaving his home between 7pm and 7am.

But he was picked up by officers in William Street, Johnstone, on Friday, July 21 after creeping out at 9.10pm.

Defence lawyer Chris McKenna told how his client had once held a decent public sector job and has lost contact with his son, five, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

He added: “These are crimes of dishonesty and relate to his drug habit and how to feed it.

“He first tried drugs in 1999, but they did not overtake him until 2008.

“He had been council worker for 10 years, was in a stable relationship and had a mortgage.

“He’s ashamed at how he has ended up.”

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew insisted attempts to force Clark, of nearby Todholm Terrace, to kick class-A drugs had failed and he had no option but to jail him.

He said: “I am well aware of your background.

“It can only be described as quite extensive.

“There can only be one disposal and that’s a custodial one.”