Workman fined after he was caught stealing building materials from boss’ building site
A hapless thief who raided his employer’s building site for materials has been fined.
Scott McPherson, 29, broke into the secure yard managed by Persimmon Homes, where he stole window frames, Gyproc sheets and insulation at the Johnstone housing development.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard McPherson even roped in a pal, who showed up in a yellow van, and the two of them loaded up the vehicle with the stolen gear.
Procurator Fiscal depute Tanjeel Maleque said: “The place of the offence was a building site secured at the front with a padlock and surrounded by a fence.
“There was housebuilding going on at the time.
“A witness working for Persimmon Homes secured the site on Saturday June 30, 2018. He secured the area and locked the cabins before leaving work.
“On Sunday July 1, a witness whose home looks onto the site heard a loud bang. On looking from her bedroom window, she saw the accused.
“She also said she heard the accused stating on his mobile phone that he was opening the gate.
“Shortly after, a yellow Renault van entered the site, driven by another.”
The court heard McPherson was heard telling the driver: “It doesn’t matter. This will all be going to the skip next week.”
The fiscal said McPherson began loading up the van with window frames, Gyproc panels and insulation rolls.
McPherson then jumped in the van and the two of them left the site.
He appeared in the dock where he pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking in to the yard and stealing a quantity of building materials from the site owned by Persimmon Homes, Hallhill Road, Johnstone.
A defence agent confirmed McPherson was admitting responsibility for the offence and has since been sacked from his job as a builder’s labourer.
He said: “It was obvious why he was there. “He working there as a labourer.
“He did lose his job, but he admits he did not have the lawful authority to go there and take the items.”
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew told him: “Taking into account that you no longer have that job, and that you don’t have a record, I am prepared to deal with this by way of a monetary penalty.”
He fined McPherson, of Hayburn Street, Glasgow, £675.
It doesn’t matter. This will all be going to the skip next week
Scott McPherson