Fife man behind bars following his six-month shoplifting spree

A FIFE thief is behind bars after a six-month shoplifting spree targeting shops in Dunfermline, other towns in the Kingdom and places further afield.

Alistair Brown’s shoplifting included targeting the Boots store in Dunfermline on three successive days, stealing goods with a total value of around £2500.

Brown, 38, of Cumbrae Terrace, Kirkcaldy, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court and admitted a catalogue of shoplifting offences.

The offences took place between April 23 and October 18.

From Tesco, Queensferry Road, Rosyth, he stole groceries worth £150, and from Asda, Falkirk, he stole groceries worth £420.

Then at the Shell filling station, Hendry Road, Kirkcaldy, he stole £19.82-worth of fuel, and also in Kirkcaldy, at Next in Fife Retail Park, he stole clothing worth £200.

Back at Tesco in Rosyth, he stole items worth £57.28, and then at JD Sports, Kingsgate Centre, Dunfermline, he stole clothing worth £300.

The Co-op, Bank Street, Lochgelly, was his next target, where he stole cleaning products worth £122.80, and then at Sports Direct, High Street, Dunfermline, he stole clothing valued at £300-400.

At the New Tannery Garage, Falkirk, he stole £58.20-worth of fuel, and he stole a further £58.40 in fuel from Gleaner Gas Centre, Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, before returning to Tesco in Rosyth where he stole groceries and cosmetics products worth £70.

At the Co-op, Lochgelly, he stole cleaning products worth £75, then at Aldi, Dunfermline, he stole alcohol valued at £65.25.

Toys worth £160 were taken from B&M, Flemington Road, Glenrothes, and more toys, this time worth £75.96, were stolen from B&M, High Street, Cowdenbeath.

At Iceland, Kirkcaldy Esplanade, he stole soft drinks worth £27, and at Boots, Kingsgate, Dunfermline, stole cosmetics valued at between £500 and £700, and then returned to the same shop and stole further cosmetics valued at between £700 and £800.

Finally, it was back to Boots once more, where he stole cosmetics valued at £1000.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said Brown was on benefits and has been addicted to cocaine for 15 years.

Sheriff Neil Bowie called for reports and Brown was remanded in custody until sentencing on December 6.