Man accused of stealing charity vouchers claims he has ‘nothing to hide’

THEFT: Claims he tried to sell four vouchers that he found on the ground

The man accused of stealing more than £3,000 worth of vouchers destined for charity claims he has “nothing to hide.”

The 300 adult passes, each worth £11, which were to be donated as raffle prizes to good causes, were stolen from St Andrews Aquarium on Tuesday some time before 5pm.

Just hours later, tickets for the venue were posted for sale for as little as £5 each on Facebay Dundee using the profile of Andrew Pilcher.

Mr Pilcher, who suffers from learning difficulties and ADHD, said he has “nothing to hide” as he only found four vouchers on the ground in Murray Park while walking from the aquarium to the Tailend restaurant to get lunch with his baby and partner.

The 23-year-old claims he wasn’t aware of the theft.

“I was with my baby and partner at the aquarium but my baby didn’t enjoy it so I thought I would sell the tickets when I found them,” he said. “I have got nothing to hide. “I removed the post and contacted the police after I heard about the theft.

“People have been saying they are going to come round and break my legs.

“We have been advised by the police to report threats to them, and they are coming round to see me about the whole thing. “It has been very stressful. “I’m scared to go out the house.” The aquarium say the thief has been recorded by a CCTV camera sneaking into the office where the passes were kept, with police saying they are following a positive line of inquiry.

A spokesperson for the aquarium said: “What makes it even worse is that these are charity passes.

“We give them out as raffle prizes to local people, businesses and schools who are raising money for good causes.”

Mr Pilcher posted the advert on the Facebook page Facebay Dundee at 7.58pm which stated: “I have a voucher for St Andrews aquarium normal price £11 for adults I’m selling them for £5 each deals can be done.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said they are currently following a “positive line of inquiry” after a number of family pass vouchers were stolen.

I removed the post and contacted the police after I heard about the theft. ANDREW PILCHER

Pictures: Fraser Band.

Mr Pilcher posted an advert for the vouchers for the St Andrews Aquarium on the Facebay Dundee Facebook page. He claims he found four vouchers on the ground outside the aquarium and that he removed the advert and contacted the police as soon as he...