Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
‘He’s always caught’ admits legal eagle
Housebreaker is ‘not good at it’says defence lawyer
COURT REPORTER
A man branded “Scotland’s worst housebreaker” faces a further wait to discover his fate.
Career criminal James Greer, 57, broke into a house in Cumbernauld, with the intention of committing theft, on November 7 last year.
Greer, whose address was given as a prisoner of Addiewell Prison, pleaded guilty to the offence at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week.
Prosecutor Liz Ross tabled previous convictions for Greer, which he admitted, and moved for sentence.
The fiscal depute said: “The house was a bungalow which was covered by CCTV.
“At 8.20am, the house owner left the house secured. At 9.50am, Greer rang the doorbell which activated a device.
“He was seen walking around the property by a neighbour. She then heard a bang and the patio door was shattered.
“She contacted the police and the householder returned home at 11am.
“No items appeared to be missing. A short time later police traced Greer and he was arrested and interviewed and made no comment.”
Greer’s defence lawyer said: “He is probably Scotland’s worst housebreaker as he has a terrible record and is always caught. He is not good at it.
“He has had an ingrained drug addiction to heroin.
“He was put on a drug treatment and testing order in 2011 and was out of trouble for three years.
“He was in employment in Hillington, making bullet proof vests and also working with community groups.
“Unfortunately, matters fell apart when his relationship broke down.
He became depressed and it resulted on him back on heroin.”
Sheriff Fergus Thomson told Greer: “Your record speaks for itself and I see a gap in your offending.
“My job is to mark the court’s disapproval but also to rehabilitate you.”
The sheriff deferred sentence on Greer until February 5 calling for a drug treatment and testing order report, full social background report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
Greer was remanded in custody until his return to the dock.