Break-in thief caught red-handed in house

He watched woman leave before smashing window

A thief lay in wait until a woman left for work before ransacking her home.

Desperate Scott Heaney, 44, panned in the window of the property in the town’s Whitehaugh Drive before climbing in and raking around looking for cash and valuables.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard drug fiend Heaney – who boasted of taking up to 90 Valium tablets a day – broke into the house in the morning of March 12, before making off with jewellery.

Fiscal depute Pamela Brady said: “The complainer had locked her property and exited the common close.

“A witness saw a male, now known as the as accused, within the rear garden.

“He was seen throwing an object through the window of the house then looking round in an anxious manner.

“The neighbour the telephoned police who, a short time later, arrived and saw the UPVC window broken.

“Officers looked inside to where accused was standing within the property.

“He matched the description provided by the witness and he was then arrested and searched by officers who found a number of items including an item of jewellery.”

Heaney, who is currently in prison, has a lengthy record of previous convictions for dishonesty.

Appeared in court from custody, he pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking into the house and stealing a quantity of jewellery.

A necklace worth £ 125 was recovered but damage to the complainer’s window cost £475.

Defence agent Brian Cooney said: “The accused has a fairly substantial record but only one previous conviction for housebreaking.

“He told me he saw the householder leaving her house.

“He knew the house was empty. And he took the opportunity of acting in the manner libelled.

“He has a long- standing problem with drug addiction. He is particularly heavily addicted to Valium, taking 80 to 90 tablets a day.”

The lawyer added the court may benefit from background reports even though Heaney understood he was facing a jail stretch for his latest offence.

Sheriff Susan Sinclair agreed with the lawyer by continuing matters, while she sought reports but she warned Heaney he can expect a prison term.

She said: “Given your record and the nature of the offence you will be remanded while I seek criminal justice social work reports.”

Heaney will learn his fate when he appears for sentence next month.