Housebreaker made himself right at home

COURT: William Young claims he thought he had been allocated the house

A Fife man who broke into a stranger’s home claimed he thought he’d been allocated the house.

William Young rearranged the furniture, cooked himself a meal and brushed his teeth as he made himself comfortable.

However, Young, “confused” after taking drugs, then called police to say he had been the victim of theft and was locked in the house.

When he was detained in connection with a separate matter, Young was allowed to fill bags of items from the house and take them into police custody.

Young, 54, of Fordell Road, Glenrothes, admitted breaking into a house in Main Street, Lumphinnans, on May 26 2016 and stealing money, two scratch cards, documents, clothing, two watches and cosmetics.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court depute fiscal Claire Bremner said the householder locked up when he left home at 7.30am.

At 3pm Young dialled 999 reporting that he had been robbed. Officers found Young locked inside. He claimed his partner had stolen his medication then locked him in the house and he didn’t have a key.

However, his partner knew nothing about the Lumphinnans house.

Police went back to speak to Young and saw a rear window had been smashed. They asked Young what had happened and he said he had smashed it because he had been locked in.

“It also appears that the accused made himself a meal,” added the depute.

“It’s a rather bizarre set of circumstances.”

Defence solicitor Lee Qumsieh said his client had taken a so-called ‘legal high’ substance for the first time before the incident.

“It certainly was a bizarre set of circumstances. He was the one who telephoned the police.

“He did not enter the property with the intention of committing a theft.

“He was acting in a state of confusion and thought this property had been allocated to him.

“He rearranged the furniture and cooked himself a meal. He also changed his clothing and brushed his teeth.”

He added: “When he was later taken into custody on another matter he was allowed the opportunity to take items with him.”

“It’s a theft committed by handing property over to the police.

“He’s ashamed and embarrassed about the circumstances of this offence.

“He would like to apologise to the homeowner.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry called for reports.