Glasgow thief who stole people’s belongings from cars admonished

A THIEF who stole people’s belongings from parked cars has been admonished by a sheriff after turning his life around.

Peter Batchelor, 46, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to theft on October 9, 2021.

The prosecutor said: “A woman was in her home at Haggs Gate, Pollokshaws, when she could hear a car door shutting and went to her living room window.

“She observed the accused rummaging in the rear of a Volkswagen.

“She noticed the accused walking away in possession of a green box. She contacted police.”

Officers attended and carried out a search for Batchelor.

They saw him in the passenger seat of a grey Vauxhall Astra.

He was searched and found to be in possession of documents and a green plastic box, which contained an electric drill.

Batchelor, of Pollokshaws, said “I hold my hands up to that” after being arrested.

His sentencing hearing had previously been deferred for him to show he could be of good behaviour.

His lawyer told the sheriff: “I think you can tell looking at the record he is a man who has had significant addiction issues.

“He was on the straight and narrow but got accused of an offence and was placed on remand. He was later acquitted but he lost his flat and subsequently turned to addiction again.

“He was trying car doors; he tells me the cars were open. Since then, he has re- engaged with his support workers at Turning Point. They’ve helped him put his life back on track and he has his own property.”

Sheriff Bernard Ablett told Batchelor: “In this particular case there appears to be a background. You lost your property after being remanded for an offence of which you were acquitted for.

“Since then, you have reengaged with Turning Point and you’re doing well. Your sessions are being reduced to just one a month. You have to be commended for that.

“Over the last nine months, during which time you were asked by a previous sheriff to be of good behaviour, you have been of good behaviour.

“You have turned your life around.”

He was admonished and dismissed.