Toldtogethelp

A persistent Perth shoplifter with a long history of substance abuse has been given the chance to get help.

Forty-three-year-old Jason Hewitt pocketed bottles of perfume, worth £64.99p, from the High Street branch of Boots during his latest thieving escapade.

Sheriff Gillian Wade told him:“The easiest thing to do is to impose a further custodial sentence - you have been there often enough.

“But I will give you the opportunity to try and engage with a Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO).

“It’s been tried before but you were much younger then.

“If you want to change, you must come off drugs.”

Hewitt, of Scott Street, admitted stealing the fragrances on July 6 this year, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

The items were recovered, explained depute fiscal Robbie Brown.

He also admitted a second charge of stealing a quantity of razor blades - and a milk shake - from the Tesco store in the city’s Crieff Road on July 29 this year.

Solicitor John McLaughlin said the accused’s last attempt at taking part in a DTTO was 10 years ago but it ended up being breached.

Sheriff Wade ordered him to return to court on September 20 to assess his progress but she warned him that imprisonment would be“the only other option.”

Hewitt admitted a lengthy list of previous convictions.