Knife yob said blade was for cutting carpet

Shoplifter’s excuse to cops for having weapon

A shoplifting drug addict caught with a Stanley knife blade after cops nabbed him claimed he was using it to cut carpet.

Gary Coyle, 52, hid the weapon in a packet of rolling papers when he was dragged off a bus and searched.

But the yob insisted he had been laying flooring and had forgotten to take it out his pocket.

At Paisley Sheriff Court Coyle admitted stashing the knife and stealing from two shops.

Prosecutor Maureen McGovern told how the thief had targeted the town centre’s Co- operative department store when he was caught.

She said: “The accused was seen acting suspiciously by staff.

“He managed to make it out of the shop with two gents’ jackets, valued at £90.

“Staff were unable to stop him, but they did call the police.

“Officers on uniform patrol attended and the accused threw away a red bag.

“He got on a bus, but was searched by police.

“They found a blade measuring six centimetres, it was the type that would fit a Stanley knife.

“He freely stated, ‘I was cutting up carpet in my house’.”

Coyle was nicked after he was found with the weapon and stolen clothing near the St Mirren Street shop around 11.15am on July 25.

He also pled guilty to swiping mounts for car sat nav systems from Halfords which were never recovered.

The crook made off with the motor gear after stealing from the Hamilton Street store on January 22.

Defence lawyer James Arrol blamed his client’s behaviour on his addiction to heroin and Valium and called for him to be put on a treatment programme.

He said: “This is a man who has a very bad record for crimes of dishonesty. He’s imprisoned, gets out, then offends again.

“Clearly, custody is not having the desired effect on him.”

The court heard Coyle had been released from prison in March for a separate offence, but offended “straight away”.

Sheriff Craig Harris warned him he could go back behind bars.

He explained: “I stress this is simply adjourned for the preparation of reports to consider a possible drug treatment and testing order.

“All options remain open to the court.”