Thief swiped jewellery from store display

A thief who swiped a gold bangle from under a jeweller’s nose has been jailed.

Douglas McLean, 36, reached into a cabinet when the worker opened it to show another piece to a customer.

He was collared after cops found him standing at a bus stop after pinching the nine-carat trinket.

the crook admitted theft during a hearing at paisley sheriff Court.

sheriff tom McCartney sent him down for eight months.

He said:“the value of the item was £850 and there was no recovery.

“You have a bad record of previous convictions, of which many are for crimes of dishonesty, and for offending whilst on bail.

“this was also during a period when you had been released early from a sentence of imprisonment. I do consider a significant prison sentence is appropriate in respect of this matter.”

McLean pounced at H samuel at the intu Braehead shopping centre last July 22.

the worker did not realise the bangle was missing for almost an hour.

she combed CCtV and spotted him reaching into the display case when she was distracted.

McLean, of priesthill, glasgow, was spotted outside the mall near to the shop and lifted by police.

He had been placed on a court-ordered rehab programme after the drama.

But was hauled back into the dock for breaching it.

sheriff McCartney ruled the scheme should be halted and he should be locked-up.

He added:“I do not consider that the Drug treatment and testing order which has been breached should be allowed to continue. I have to consider the appropriate sentence then in respect of this matter. I do not consider this matter can be dealt with by an alternative to a custodial sentence.”