Serial thief was caught trying to break in to BMw

Sheriff jails crook after he was spotted prowling in car park

A sneak thief with a horrendous criminal record has been jailed for almost six months.

Andrew Mack, 34, was caught attempting to break in to a BMW only four days after he had been released from prison.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Mack was spotted prowling at a car park next to Paisley’s High Street by a witness on May 26.

He went back to the same area the following day where he was clocked loitering around by the same witness, who this time reported him to police.

Procurator fiscal depute Tanjeer Maleque said: “The car park is at the rear of High Street, Paisley, and is used by business owners and residents.

“A witness who lives in a flat overlooking the area looked out of his window and he observed the accused approaching a blue BMW vehicle.

“The accused approached the motor vehicle and went down to the driver’s door where he repeatedly tried the handle of the door.

“He then walked to the other side of the vehicle and attempted to open the passenger’s door on the other side.”

The court heard the witness noted what Mack was trying to do, but did not phone the police until the following day when he spotted the thief back at the same place.

The prosecutor added: “The witness saw the accused in the same local area on May 27 and, at that point, he contacted police.”

Cops took down a description and checked CCTV, which backed up the witness’ description of what Mack was up to.

He was traced later that afternoon at Wellmeadow Street in the town.

Mack, who has racked up dozens of crimes of dishonesty, including stealing charity donations from a church, and swiping children’s items from changing room lockers, appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to attempting to break in to a motor with intent to steal.

Defence agent Mark Chambers urged the court to consider handing his client a drug treatment and testing order, to enable him to “break free from the cycle of offending”.

He added: “You will not be surprised to learn he is blighted by drug addiction. Stealing and being sent to custody has become a revolving door for him.

“He would benefit from a such an order.”

Sheriff Tom McCartney slated Mack, who even refused to turn up for an assessment with the social workers last week.

He said: “I am not continuing matters for an assessment. You were subject to orders in 2015 and 2017.

“You also were also given bail for the purpose of an assessment and didn’t turn up.”

He handed Mack 175 days behind bars, telling him anything else was “inappropriate”.

Stealing and being sent to custody has become a revolving door for him