Mobile phone crook will have to wait to learn court sentence

A notorious thief had his sentence delayed after prosecutors failed to produce a stolen mobile phone.

Crook Andrew Mack, 32, was due to be learn his fate after swiping the handset and charger from a nightclub in Paisley.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard that Mack previously pleaded guilty to stealing the device from Faction Nightclub in the town’s Shuttle Street on December 20.

The drug addict and repeat shop lifter had admitted the offence at court on December 24.

However, when he appeared back in the dock to face the music, prosecutors revealed they did not have the evidence on which his conviction was based.

Fiscal depute Margaret McCallum explained the Crown did not have the phone on hand and requested an adjournment to locate the device, prompting a swift response from presiding Sheriff Colin Pettigrew.

He said: “The location of the item, a mobile phone, is known.

“I understand you were not the depute in court but nevertheless you are here to represent the Crown.

“As the whereabouts are known, perhaps one of your colleagues could be instructed to go and see if the phone is there.”

Defence agent Rhona Lynch confirmed Mack, of the town’s Argyll Street, was admitting responsibilty for the offence.

But she also requested that the sentence be deferred for background reports to be sought.

She said: “Mr Mack advises me he suffers from severe psychological problems, sleepless nights, flashbacks, and believes he is suffering from PTSD as a result of tragic life events.

“This includes historical abuse and I would like to obtain a medical report to ascertain if my client is suffering from PTSD.”

Sheriff Pettigrew concurred with the lawyer telling the crook: “Clearly it is in your interest if there is some form of investigation into your medical condition.”

He deferred sentence for three weeks for the court to obtain reports in preparation for disposing of the case.

But he refused bail for Mack and remanded him in custody until January 31.

Mack previously sparked outrage after rifling the lockers of teenage dancers as they performed for a charity event at Paisley Town Hall.

He also stole charity takings by swiping a collection box at the town’s Fulbar Road, and snatched a lady’s handbag at the town’s Phoenix Retail Park.