Crook spotted breaking into cars
A brazen thief who broke into parked cars in Paisley has been handed unpaid work and fitted with an electronic tag.
Addict Stuart Irvine, 41, preyed on unsuspecting motorists by targeting vehicles for valuables until he was rumbled by CCTV operators covering the town centre.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Irvine, of Tannahill Drive, Ferguslie Park, was first clocked prowling at the car park at Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, in the company of another man while acting as a “lookout.”
Irvine kept watch as a Suzuki Carry van was entered by an unknown male.
Irvine was later spotted breaking into a silver coloured Ford by hurling a brick through the window and stealing a dash cam.
Fiscal depute Margaret McCallum said: “Witnesses operating CCTV covering the town centre noticed two persons, one of whom is the accused, who were at Renfrewshire House, in Paisley.
“They saw them enter the car park. The accused was acting as a look out at this time.
“Another male entered the Suzuki vehicle and looked in the glove compartment.”
Irvine was then spotted making his way along Bridge Street to Meeting House Lane where he picked up a rock and smashed his way into the Ford.
The fiscal added: “Police who reviewed CCTV footage of this incident where the accused picked up an object and threw it through the car window causing it to smash.
“A dash cam worth £270 was removed.
“The damage caused to the car was £150.”
I r v i n e, who ha s been blighted by drug addiction and alcohol abuse, appeared in the dock where he pleaded guilty to breaking into the car and stealing the dash cam and causing damage to the vehicle on March 30.
Defence agent Paul Lynch urged the court to consider a community disposal given his client’s early plea of guilty.
He added: “He has issues including misuse of drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. He has a significant record of offending.
“Your lordship would be entitled to send him to prison.
“But I would ask the court to consider a restriction of liberty order combined with a community payback order containing an element of unpaid work.”
Sheriff Craig Harris told Irvine: “These are serious matters. You have a criminal record showing a number of offences.”
He handed him a CPO lasting 18 months, comprising a home detention curfew lasting four months where he will be monitored on an electronic tag.
He also gave him 120 hours unpaid work to be completed within six months.