Green glove Post Office raider is caught red-handed by cops

Would-be thief faces more jail time after break-in bid

A convicted housebreaker who tried to jemmy his way into a Renfrewshire Post Office was caught by his luminous green gloves.

Hapless crook John Duff and an unknown sidekick tried to force their way into the branch at Inchinnan using a crowbar.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Duff, 31, and his accomplice were rumbled during their early morning raid by witnesses working at the nearby McGill’s bus despot at Greenock Road.

Fiscal depute Pamela Brady said: “At around 3am on June 13, two ladies working as cleaners at McGill’s bus garage became aware of two males who were directly outside the Post Office.

“They were acting suspiciously. One wearing a dark hooded top was walking back and forth outside the Post Office. “He was agitated. “He seemed to be watching vehicles pass by.

“The ladies saw another male, also with a dark hooded top, standing at the front entrance.

“He appeared to have a crowbar in his hand.”

The court heard the duo were disturbed and ran from scene, where one of the males, now identified as the accused, was seen with a “luminous green item” in his hand.

The fiscal added: “The ladies thought this item could be green gloves.

“The males returned to the main entrance and moments later the witnesses could hear the sound of wood cracking and banging sounds.

“Police were contacted. They attended in a police van and soon saw the two males running away. Both were dressed in dark clothing.”

The court was told cops chased the crooks on foot, and they found Duff hiding in a back garden of a nearby property. In his hand was a pair of luminous green gloves. His accomplice got away. The fiscal added cops saw signs of the break-in at the Post Office.

Forensic tests also confirmed Duff’s DNA was contained in the gloves.

Yesterday, the accused, currently a prisoner at HMP Low Moss, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to force open and attempting to break into the Post Office at Greenock Road, Inchinnan, with intention to steal.

His defence agent Mr McGuiness confirmed Duff, who has served time in jail previously for housebreaking, was admitting responsibility for the offence at the earliest opportunity.

He added: “The court may benefit from seeking a Criminal Justice Social Work Report with a view to some sort of supervision following his release from a custodial sentence.”

Sheriff Seith Ireland said: “You have a very bad record. In any event attempted theft from a commercial premises is a serious offence with a custodial sentence almost inevitable.”

He deferred sentence to call for background reports. Duff will discover his fate on October 25.