The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Housebreaker left his wallet at scene
Ahousebreaker described as “a Jekyll and Hyde character” was snared by police when he left his wallet at the scene of a crime.
Lee Fairbairn appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted breaking into an Aberdeen property during daylight and stealing a television.
The 35-year-old was disturbed in the act by the homeowner, who he punched in the face and then fled.
However, he didn’t get away with it for long – police found that Fairbairn had left his wallet behind, which had his name and date of birth inside.
Fiscal depute Lydia Ross told the court that at around 9am on March 1 8 a couple were in their bedroom at their home in Aberdeen’s Cornhill Terrace when their dog started barking downstairs.
“The complainer walked downstairs and saw a male in the living room stealing his TV and taking it towards the door of the property,” she said.
“He challenged the accused and took hold of his TV to get it back.
“The accused retained possession of the TV and punched the complainer in the face, causing a cut to his top lip.
“The accused subsequently dropped the TV in order to escape.”
Fairbairn also admitted a further charge of trashing his own property, which saw him smash a number of household items on August 9.
When police arrived he punched one officer in the face and had to be taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary due to his level of intoxication.
Fairbairn, of Jasmine Terrace in Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to stealing a television and a further charge of assaulting the homeowner. He admitted an additional charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and assaulting a police officer.
Defence agent Mike Monro told the court: “When we talk about someone being a Jekyll and Hyde character, my client fits that entirely.
“When he is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs I have no difficulty with him at all.
“However, when he is under the influence he is a risk to everyone and to himself.”
As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Johnston placed Fairbairn on a community payback order with supervision for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 145 of unpaid work. She also ordered him to take part in an alcohol treatment programme.