Kleptomaniac behind bars after spate of bizarre thefts

Man who stole £3,000 worth of items during raids on homes is jailed for 16 months

Although there’s a suggestion that these were impulsive breakins, it appears to me that you targeted these properties

A kleptomaniac has been locked up for a spree of thefts across Tayside.

James Donaldson amassed a bizarre £3,000 haul during raids on properties in Perthshire and Dundee.

The 51-year-old made off with, among other things, hockey sticks, a tub of grease and referee cards.

Donaldson appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, having previously admitted break-ins at homes on Glamis Road and Windsor Street, Dundee, and at Bridge of Cally.

The court heard that he had been formally diagnosed as a kleptomaniac.

Sheriff William Wood told Robertson: “This was a course of conduct which involved breaking into a number of properties and stealing from them.

“Although there’s a suggestion that these were impulsive break-ins, it appears to me that you targeted these properties.”

He added: “In all circumstances, it seems that only a custodial sentence would be appropriate for this kind of conduct.”

Donaldson, of Quarry Road, Muirhead, was jailed for 16 months.

Defence agent Anika Jethwa said her client was sorry for his actions.

“He appreciates the significant upset this type of behaviour has on the victims,” she said. “He is very remorseful.” She said he had moved to Muirhead 17 years ago to be near his mother, who he cares for.

Donaldson struck at a house on Glamis Road, Dundee, between August 21 and September 10 2015. He fled with some cutlery, a wooden carving and a television.

Between December 23 2015 and January 3 last year he broke into a house on Windsor Street.

He pushed the door of the property and found it was unlocked.

Donaldson made off with a watch, laptop, rucksack, hockey bag, hockey sticks, sunglasses, a hip flask, a lock knife, pen knife, games console, pens, pocket watch, a key, hockey masks, tub of grease, bottle of spray, pair of glasses, alcohol, cuff links, a belt, scarf, knife and two vaporisers.

In January, he stole another television from a cottage at Bridge of Cally, Highland Perthshire.

James Donaldson has been formally diagnosed as a kleptomaniac.