Thief who tried on two jackets before stealing them both is locked up

Drug addict walked out of Paisley store wearing his loot

A thief who tried on two jackets in Lidl before brazenly walking out wearing them has been jailed.

Drug addict George Govan, 46, put on the jackets that he lifted from the Wallneuk Road supermarket’s middle aisle.

The light-fingered Paisley man then placed a bottle of shower gel into a plastic bag before making his way to the tills, only paying for two cakes he had picked up.

Govan appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court from custody and admitted to stealing the jackets and shower gel on October 8, 2020.

Procurator fiscal depute Maria Murdoch told the court: “Around 3pm on Thursday, October 8, the witness was working within the store as a plain clothes detective when his attention was drawn to the accused, who was intoxicated.

“The witness followed him around the store and observed him remove his jacket and put on two jackets from the special purchase rack and walk away with his jacket over his arm.

“The accused then picked up a bottle of shower gel and put it into a plastic bag and walked to the checkout, paying for only two cakes.

“The police were contacted and the accused was detained for a search.

“The value of goods totalled £20.97 and were recovered.

“Govan was arrested, cautioned and charged and made no reply.”

Defence agent Mr Sweeney told the court that, just days prior to the shoplifting, Govan had declared himself as homeless.

Mr Sweeney told: “He was in the area as he was awaiting accommodation within the jurisdiction.

“He has very little recollection of events as he has a very longstanding difficulty with illicit drugs.

“He had his first conviction at the age of 16 and he has had various periods of imprisonment served on him, although there has been some periods of no offending.”

Sentencing, Sheriff Gillian Craig said: “This was a planned attempt of shoplifting.

“You have a record, which does you no favours.”

Sheriff Craig sentenced Govan to 75 days’ imprisonment.

He has very little recollection of events and he has a very long-standing difficult with illicit drugs