Man who stole laptop from primary school jailed for eight months

Serial criminal admitted to smashing glass window and fleeing with the stolen computer equipment

A thief, who broke into a Dunfermline primary school and stole a laptop, has been jailed.

Drug addict James Dorward, who has a “long and varied” criminal past, also spat on a woman outside Dunfermline Sheriff Court in another incident.

Dorward, 39, admitted that on May 18 he broke into Milesmark Primary School and stole a laptop computer.

His ‘not guilty’ plea was accepted to a second charge that on the same day he broke into the Crossford post office and pharmacy in Main Street with intent to steal.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said that at 12.55am Milesmark residents were woken up by “banging noises coming from the school and they saw a male fleeing on foot”.

Police found a pane of glass smashed at the school with blood smeared on it.

The laptop stolen was used for the teaching of P1 and P2 pupils.

Police were then contacted about another matter and when they went to investigate they found Dorward. “He was in a dishevelled state with cuts to his hands and face,” said the depute.

Dorward previously admitted spitting in a woman’s face outside the Dunfermline Sheriff Court building on February 1.

Dorward, who had been living in Fraser Avenue, Inverkeithing, has appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court regularly in recent weeks.

He went back to live with his mother in Glasgow after being banned from Fife at a previous court date.

Sheriff Chris Shead had commented then: “He has a long and varied record including crimes of dishonesty.”

Sheriff Shead agreed to allow bail but ordered Dorward “not to enter the Kingdom of Fife” until he returned for sentencing.

The court was told that Dorward had a long history of misusing drugs.

Sheriff Craig McSherry jailed Dorward to consecutive jail terms of eight months and 80 days.

He has a long and varied record including crimes of dishonesty SHERIFF CHRIS SHEAD