Crook is caught red handed

A man who broke into a Pather home was caught red-handed by police at the scene of the crime.

Josh Henderson had a stolen watch hidden in the waistband of his trousers.

Henderson, 24, a prisoner, was jailed for ten months at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

He admitted that, while acting with others, he broke into a property in West Thornlie Street on October 8.

Co-accused John Clark, 45, also a prisoner, had his not guilty plea to the charge accepted.

He admitted possession of heroin worth around £200.

Michael Macintosh, prosecuting, said the female occupant was out when the break-in happened.

It was reported to the police and officers arrived to find the property had been “turned over”.

Mr Macintosh told the court: “It appeared the door had been kicked in.

“Officers found the accused Henderson there. He was searched and a woman’s watch was found in his waistband.

“He claimed it belonged to his girlfriend. But the owner identified it as hers and said she kept it in a jewellery box in her bedroom. “Clark was found with Henderson. “He had two small wraps of heroin in his mouth and a plastic tub containing more heroin was found on his person.”

Defence agent Ian Scott said Henderson has had an alcohol problem for many years and had been drinking before the break-in.

Mr Scott added: “Other persons were involved in this venture and, stupidly, he went along with it.”

Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen backdated Henderson’s 10-month sentence to October 9 to take account of time already spent in custody.

Clark, said by the sheriff to have a “pretty dreadful” criminal record, was jailed for 226 days, backdated to October 10.