Four-and-a-half years for youth who targeted holidaymakers’ home
A teenager, who broke into a Fife house and stole a car, was today sentenced to four-and-a-half years in custody.
A Kelty couple were on holiday abroad when their home was raided by Cameron Corbett and two other thieves in the middle of the night.
Corbett (19), currently detained at Polmont young offenders’ institution, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.
He previously admitted that on 25th May whilst acting with others, he broke into a house in Blairadam Crescent, Kelty, stole a television, a quantity of jewellery and two car keys.
He also admitted whilst acting with others he stole a car from the same address.
Depute fiscal Sarah Lumsden told the court that the couple who live at the house had gone on holiday abroad.
On the night of the break-in, a neighbour heard two loud thuds at around 2.10am and when he looked out of his window he saw someone with a torch in the garden of the victims’ home, with two others standing nearby at the rear door.
The police were contacted and the man continued to watch what was happening. A glass patio door had been smashed to gain entry.
Before police arrived, the thieves were seen carrying a TV out of the house, which was being searched throughout by torchllght.
Two vehicles were then heard speeding out of the street.
The stolen Audi A3 was later spotted in a car park in South Queensferry with the TV still in the back. A man who had earlier seen a Facebook post about the theft contacted the police.
In forensic testing, Corbett’s DNA was found to be on the steering wheel but he denied any involvement when arrested.
Sheriff Craig McSherry pointed out that the offence was committed when Corbett was on two bail orders, subject to a supervised release order and hw has eight other court matters pending.
He commented, “Breaking into a home with a view to stealing a car is a crime that’s increasing in Scotland.”
He sent Corbett to custody for four-and-a-half years.
