Jail for thief who was caught red-handed

A Fallin woman was jailed after being caught redhanded stealing valuables from a property in the village.

Charlene Claire Morgan helped herself to more than £800 worth of goods including electrical equipment, a bag, items of clothing and a purse from The Old School House on Main Street.

The incident happened on the afternoon of August 11, and Stirling Sheriff Court heard last week how Morgan (38) let herself in to the property, which was insecure, while the occupant was out walking his dog.

Fiscal depute Laura Knox said: “At 1.45pm the owner left to walk their dog. They came back at 2.15pm and they saw that the front door was open.”

Ms Knox explained that the house was a mess with items scattered all over the floor and the occupant could hear a noise coming from upstairs.

He went to investigate and saw Morgan standing in his father’s room, putting items in a bag. He asked her ‘who the f*** are you, and why are you in my house’? At this point Morgan just casually walked out and left the house.

Ms Knox added: “The witness phoned his dad and followed Ms Morgan. She was seen to meet with another man.”

The occupant spoke with police and presented them with a list of items which were missing. Officers then traced Ms Morgan at her home and recovered a number of items hidden behind a bathroom panel.

She was arrested and taken to Falkirk Police Office.

Defence solicitor Stephen Maguire said: “She appreciates the serious nature of the offence. She is someone with a lengthy record and her personal circumstances have been chaotic.”

Sheriff William Gilchrist said: “The problem I have here Mr Maguire is that if you look at her record there are pages and pages going way back.

“There have been various community orders and they don’t seem to be having any impact. She keeps offending.”

Morgan, of Murray Court, was also appearing in the dock on a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards her partner Lee McBride at Costcutter on Murray Place on July 7.

Sheriff Gilchrist added: “In relation to the charge involving Mr McBride I’m going to admonish you. For the theft I’m going to send you to prison.”

Morgan was jailed for a period of eight months.