Crime spree to fund studies ends in jail

A man who went on an £8,000 rampage in a bid to fund his dream of becoming an architect was jailed yesterday.

Shane Reilly took part in nine break-ins across the north-east of Dundee in the space of just three weeks with a gang of associates.

His lawyer said he had started a college course last August but that he wasn’t eligible for bursaries or loans.

So to fund his studies he turned to crime – targeting shops and takeaways after they shut for the night.

Reilly, 21, of Orleans Place, Dundee, pleaded guilty on indictment to nine charges of theft by housebreaking.

Solicitor Kris Gilmartin, defending, said: “I appreciate it may sound like I am giving a plea in mitigation for a 14 or 15-year-old but that’s how he presents in some respects.

“He enrolled in college in August and was shortly after told he had to pay the monies due or he could no longer continue his course.

“Had he at that time taken advice he could probably have been entitled to financial assistance.

“But he instead became involved in these offences.”

Sheriff Alastair jailed Reilly for two years and two months and imposed a one-year supervised release order to monitor him when he is freed.

The sheriff said: “You are a worry, you are still young and have many years ahead of you.”