The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Drunk dad couldn’t recall theft of £750 bike from stairwell
A drunk father who could not remember taking a pushbike during an earlymorning theft from an Aberdeen stairwell has been given a curfew for the next eight months.
Patryk Pogodzinski took the £750 bike from a stairwell in Merkland Lane on Saturday May 1, after having first scoped out the scene.
The 26-year-old couldn’t remember any of his actions – but was caught on a neighbour’s CCTV doorbell recording.
When the bike’s owner alerted police to the CCTV they were able to identify the dad-of-one right away.
Fiscal depute Victoria Kerr told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “The bicycle owner watched the footage and saw that at 7am a male entered the property and inspected the bike before leaving.
“He returned at 7.30am, took possession of the bike and left.”
An arrest warrant was granted and, when police visited his home in Formartine Drive to seize the bike and his clothing, Podogzinski was found to have breached an existing curfew.
His defence solicitor Graham Morrison said. “He has little recollection of what he did.”
Mr Morrison said the reason Podogzinski was found to be in breach of his curfew was that he had been babysitting for his daughter when his ex-partner returned home and announced she had tested positive for Covid-19, meaning he had to remain at her house instead.
Pogodzinski, who admitted both charges, was handed a restriction of liberty order meaning he must remain within his home between 7pm and 7am for the next eight months.
Sheriff Ian Miller said that it was a direct alternative to custody.