Blind man jailed for breaking into church to ‘look around’

A blind man was jailed for six months yesterday after he admitted breaking into a church “to have a look around”.

Christopher Jones, 45, left a trail of blood in the Church of Scotland manse in Kinloch Rannoch after cutting himself smashing a window to gain entry.

A court was told that Jones had taken a boy along for an adventure because the unoccupied manse was viewed as a ghost house.

Jones, of Muirlodge Place, Kinloch Rannoch, admitted breaking into the manse at Bunrannoch Place in the village twice between May 25 and 28 this year with intent to steal.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney told Perth Sheriff Court: “On May 27 it is noticed a window has been smashed and entry gained.

“Another window had been broken and that was suspected to be used to exit. When police attended they saw another window smashed and blood splattered.”

Mr Sweeney said swabs were taken which led to Jones.

“When he was cautioned, he said the window was smashed and he only went through it for a look around and that’s why his blood was there,” he added.

Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said: “I don’t know if it’s a good explanation, but on the first occasion it was done because this was a bit of a ghost house.

“There were one or two odd pieces of furniture but nothing else and he has gained access and gone on a bit of an expedition. It’s not the best way of entertaining a boy, but that explains how he gets around.”

He said Jones, who was led into the dock carrying a white stick, had some sight but it was limited and deteriorating.