Burn on cap clue to police tracing thug, 40

A cigarette burn on a flat cap helped to arrest a thief who used the bank card of a 90-year-old man to try to steal his money.

But days after police had arrested 40-year-old Ardersier man Gavin Shand, he then assaulted and robbed an 81-yearold man in his own home.

Now Shand, described as a Barlinnie prisoner, faces jail after admitting the July 10 assault and robbery at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.

He also admitted twice trying to steal money from the 90 year old’s account at ATMs in Inverness and Nairn on June 25.

Shand, who admitted a list of previous convictions for dishonesty, was told by Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood: “An assault on an 81-year-old man in his own house is an

“Attract a significant custodial sentence”

offence which will attract a significant custodial sentence.”

The sheriff deferred sentence until November 23 for a report as Shand was on a community payback order. He was again remanded in custody.

Fiscal depute Robert Weir said Shand, wearing the flat cap, was seen on CCTV at the Co-op in Telford Street, using the bank card. But the machine was out of order.

He then tried to obtain cash at the Gulf Petrol Station in Nairn.

Police obtained a search warrant for Shand’s house and found the burned flat cap.

Eleven days after the police operation Shand was arrested in Inverness after forcing entry to an 81 year old man’s house in Glenurquhart Road.

The victim tried to resist Shand, who pushed him to the ground and stole £100 in cash from a shelf.

He escaped on a bicycle but was traced 55 minutes later in Benula Road and arrested.