Thief has be rescued from the Drip Bridge

A Stirling man who was caught by police stealing had to be rescued from a bridge as he attempted to make his getaway.

Darren Crossley (43), of Douglas Street, Stirling, admitted to stealing bags, a book and stationery from The Toll House near Drip Bridge in March last year.

The house was vacant, but belonged to a 97–year old man who suffers from dementia and was in care at the time.

Neighbours initially spotted that a window at the property was insecure and had also spotted ladders while others noticed that curtains had been drawn.

Police were contacted and attended at around 10.30am and saw Crossley crouched in a rear garden with rucksacks.

Fiscal depute, Lindsey Brooks said:“He ran towards the River Forth. He was pursued and he climbed on to an arch of the bridge over the water.”

Police then requested assistance after the accused refused to come down from the bridge.

Crossley then told officers that he was feeling unwell and that he couldn’t get down and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were contacted to rescue him.

After being brought to safety he was detained and searched and a book, A4 note pad and pictures of buildings were then found.

He was assessed by paramedics and told them he had taken drugs prior to becoming unwell.

No other people were found in the property which had lay vacant for a considerable period of time.

It had been suspected that people had been living in the property.

Sheriff William Gilchrist deferred sentence until June in order to see if Crossley complies with an outstanding community payback order and to be of good behaviour.