Boozed-up ex-banker stole £1,500 of alcohol

He walked out of Morrisons with trolley-load of drink

A former bank worker who handled one portfolio worth 100million Euros was left penniless after his heavy drinking took its toll.

Garry Weir’s dramatic fall from grace was heard when he appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court charged with shoplifting.

Weir, of Clavering Street West, in Paisley, admitted stealing a trolley stacked full of booze and groceries valued at just under £1,500 from the Morrisons store in Thread Street, Paisley, on January 5.

Depute fiscal Frank Clarke said the haul had a high value as it contained top-end bottles of spirits.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker explained that his client had become a hopeless alcoholic who was in debt to money lenders.

“This offence was committed for their benefit and not his,” he stressed.

The lawyer said that up until his mid- 30s Weir, now 52, had enjoyed “a very successful career and lifestyle” that came to an end due to drinking brought on by the stresses of his workload.

His marriage broke down and he “lost everything” and things spiralled out of control.

His alcohol dependency landed him in debt, and when he borrowed from money lenders that led him into even deeper difficulties.

Weir, it was stated, had previously been jailed after he committed an identical offence.

When he appeared in court, he was serving a 100- day jail sentence.

Mr McCusker added: “He must be one of the worst shoplifters .

“He stands out like a sore thumb.”

All of the items taken were fully recovered when he attempted to push the trolley out of the premises.

Weir, it was stated, was desperate for help and support in the community when he is eventually released from detention.

Sheriff David Pender said that as there was another outstanding matter to be dealt with, he was prepared to adjourn that case until September 5 for consideration as to his suitability for a Community Payback Order that would require Weir attending for alcohol counselling.

He jailed the accused for a further eight months, to run consecutively to the term being served at present.