Man, 22, jailed for one-year crime spree

A thief who stole cars and £23,000 worth of designer goods during a year-long one-man crimewave has been jailed for 16 months.

Ryan Robertson, 22, claimed his prolonged criminal spree was sparked by a volatile relationship with his partner.

It was only brought to a halt by a high-speed police chase.

Robertson stole cars and trucks, a motorbike, a caravan, bicycles and a designer watch.

He already had previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty and dangerous driving when he started the spate of offending on May 26 last year.

At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Gregor Murray said: “These offences represent a significant burst of offending over a prolonged period.

“This is aggravated by the number of charges, the number of acts of dishonesty and the value of the goods stolen being in the region of £23,000.

“There is no credible alternative to a custodial sentence.”

Robertson, from Dundee, appeared from custody and admitted 19 offences across Dundee and Angus before his arrest on July 22.

Once he had driven so fast as he entered a public park that pursuing police officers were advised to end the chase over safety fears.

In May this year, Robertson had stolen three bicycles worth £8,200 and was linked to the break-in because his DNA was found on a screwdriver recovered nearby.

He was also placed under supervision for 12 months following his release and was banned from driving for 40 months.

Solicitor Jim Laverty, defending, said: “The relationship he was in appears to have been the catalyst for him going off the rails.”