Man avoids jail after house raid
Cash and phones taken during Overtown break-in
A man who smashed his way into an Overtown home and stole cash and mobile phones has avoided being sent to prison.
James Williamson appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing having already pleaded guilty to breaking into a house in Overtown’s Hoey Drive on April 11 last year and stealing two mobile phones, cash, a watch and a quantity of foreign currency.
At a previous hearing, the court heard that the householders left their home at 5pm for a night out and properly secured the house.
They had returned around 11pm on the same evening and spotted that a pane of glass on their patio door had been smashed.
Going into the house, they discovered several items had been taken from their home and police were then called.
Officers quickly arrived and the home was searched for clues.
During the course of this search two blood spots were discovered.
DNA analysis showed that the blood found at the house was that of 21-yearold Williamson, who was living in Wishaw at the time. He was then arrested. The household items stolen amounted to more than £1000.
However, the items were never recovered.
Speaking on the day of Williamson’s guilty plea, Williamson’s solicitor, Diarmid Bruce, said that his client’s life had been turned upside down following the death of his 29-year-old sister in 2014.
The solicitor also said that Williamson had seen a psychiatrist and had been using diazepam.
Mr Bruce added: “At the time the offence occurred Mr Williamson was living in Wishaw at the time.
“He had separated with his partner and was staying with a friend.
“Since then he has turned his life around and has became involved with LADS ( Lanarkshire Alcohol & Drug Service).
“He knows he is in a precarious position in terms of going to prison.”
However, at court last week Williamson, of Mason Street, Larkhall, avoided a jail term.
Instead, he was ordered to pay £1500 in compensation to his victims.
He was also put on a community payback order and ordered to carry out 175 hours of work which must be completed within six months.