Drug-seeking thief ‘was in wrong house’

Awould-be thief, who crept into a stranger’s house and was caught lurking in his hallway, told police he was “trying to score hash.”

Russell Bell said he was looking for his dealer and had wandered into the wrong property in Perth.

The 52-year-old, who was previously jailed for stealing a wallet and £1,000 cash from a house, fled after being confronted by the homeowner.

Bell appeared at the city’s sheriff court and admitted being at the Tulloch Road property without lawful authority on October 28 last year. The charge states it would be reasonable to infer he was there to steal.

Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson told the court: “At about 4.30pm, the occupant was at home in his living room.

“He was listening to music on his headphones.

“He had left the back door closed but insecure.

“It was left this way because it was frequently used by the owner’s cats.

“He then observed the accused standing in the hallway.

“He challenged the accused and shouted at him to get out of his home.

“The home owner then ran upstairs to phone the police.

“The accused was seen running from the property.”

Bell, of nearby Culliven Court, was traced by police later that evening.

He told officers: “I was only in there because I was looking for a mate.”

He added: “I had no intention to steal anything, I was in there to score hash.”

Solicitor David Holmes, defending, told the court: “He had been going to see a friend to buy cannabis but quite clearly he was in the wrong place.”

Mr Holmes said his client’s record had “improved remarkably” in recent years.

Sheriff Kirsty Hood QC deferred sentence until October 26.

She told Bell: “I have taken account of the very substantial improvement you have shown in terms of your record.

“I will defer sentence to show that this is a path you intend to stay on.”

In 2013, Bell was jailed for 11 months for stealing a wallet containing more than £1,000 from a house on King Street, Perth.

The court heard that he had been released from a prison sentence just four days earlier.

At the time, the court was told Bell was confronted by the homeowner on his driveway.

He said he had been looking for someone, before heading off in the direction of James Street.

“I was only in there because I was looking for a mate

CAUGHT: Russell Bell admitted being in the Perth property without lawful authority.