Jailed for breaking into Fife dental practice
A Fife man, who broke into a dental practice, has been jailed for 13 months.
Ross Cunningham (26,) of Seafar Drive, Kelty, broke into the dentists to create a nuisance at the workplace of his partner, Dunfermline Sheriff Court was told.
Cunningham also bit a police officer during a separate incident and had been warned he faced a “significant” jail sentence.
He had been remanded in custody having failed to turn up for sentencing previously.
He admitted that on 31st December last year whilst acting with others he broke into the commercial premises occupied by Kelty Dental Practice, Main Street and stole a safe containing money.
He also admitted that on 9th July at Seafar Drive he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing at police officers and struggling violently with them.
He admitted assaulting a police constable by biting him to his injury.
He further admitted failing to appear for a previous court hearing on 12th October.
When he returned to Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing, defence solicitor Alexander Flett said no money had been stolen in the break-in.
“The circumstances of the housebreaking are somewhat unusual,” said the solicitor.
“It took place at the premises where his former partner was working and it was done for nuisance value rather than for financial gain.
“He had been in what was a turbulent relationship with a former partner.”
Sheriff Craig McSherry said, “As far as I’m concerned for a break-in at a property the only appropriate sentence is one of imprisonment.”
He jailed Cunningham for a total of 13 months backdated to 23rd October.
