Woman stole clothes from Errol market stall holder’s shed

A woman broke into a man’s shed and stole clothes he was preparing to sell at the Errol Sunday market and car boot sale.

Perth Sheriff Court heard yesterday how Connie Furlong, 22, of Newhouse Road, Perth, was spotted by a witness in a car with two other females driving “slowly” past the man’s house. This neighbour later took photographs of the accused which helped police.

Depute fiscal Tina Dickie said: “The witness, who was a neighbour, became suspicious when she saw the vehicle driving very slowly past the property around 3pm and therefore thought the women were up to no good.

“The complainer kept clothes in a garden shed at the back of his house which he would then sell at the Errol Sunday market and car boot sale.

“This neighbour saw the accused leave the car and approach the man’s house.

“She knocked on the door and then went around the back of the house when there was no answer.”

The court heard that the witness then saw the accused looking at a padlock which secured the shed in the back garden and heard the sound of glass being smashed.

“Just after this happened the neighbour saw the accused leaving in the car,” Ms Dickie added.

The court was told three jackets – worth around £20 each – were stolen, but not recovered.

Furlong admitted that on February 1 last year at an address in Kingswell Terrace, Perth, she forced open a lockfast garden shed and stole a quantity of clothing.

Sentence was deferred on Furlong until May 2 for reports.

Meanwhile, Emma Craven, 23, of Tay Street, Perth, will face sentencing at court on May 2.

The court heard that police were carrying out patrols on March 20 on North Methven Street, Perth, when they saw the accused leave a property around 2.50pm.

“The police thought the accused had bought drugs so they were going to speak to her,” Ms Dickie said. “However, she threw away a package and tried to struggle free from their grip.”

Craven admitted that on March 20 she obstructed two PCs and struggled violently with them.