Thief found hiding in recycling centre tagged for three months

A thief police found hiding in a skip at a Fife recycling centre has been sentenced.

Unemployed Anthony Thomson, 36, of Castle Avenue, Crosshill, admitted he had no legal authority to be at the Recycle Fife site on the Cartmore Industrial Estate, Lochgelly, on November 15.

Depute fiscal Jade Doig previously told Dunfermline Sheriff Court that Thomson was reported by a worker at the Fife Council-run premises who became suspicious when he saw him hanging around outside.

“At 5.30pm an employee was getting ready to leave when he became aware of a motor vehicle stopped near the recycling centre,” she said.

“The accused and another person made their way to the fence.

“As there had been previous break-ins he noted the registration and contacted the police.

“Police arrived at 6pm and found the vehicle had been left unattended.

“The officers, a police dog and handler searched the perimeter fence and then inside the compound.

“They found the accused hiding in a skip.”

Defence James Moncrieff told the court his client had a friend who repairs computers.

“He’s attended during the day in the past and been allowed to take things,” he said.

“On this occasion he accepts he went in and was planning to help himself.”

Sheriff Charles MacNair noted that Thomson had previous convictions for theft on his record.

He called for background reports and when Thomson returned for sentencing yesterday he was placed on a restriction of liberty order for three months.