Nine months sentence for serial shoplifter
A Fife man, who went on a two-week shoplifting spree to fund his drug habit, has been jailed.
Barry Laidlaw targeted various Co-op stores and stole items worth around £700.
Laidlaw (43), of Pretoria Place, Cowdenbeath, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court where he admitted a string of thefts.
On 14th March at the Co-op Group, Bank Street, Lochgelly, he stole a quantity of deodorant.
The same day he stole quantities of meat from other Co-op stores in Shamrock Street, Robertson Road, Pilmuir Street, all in Dunfermline.
On 16th March he went to the Asda superstore, Halbeath Retail Park, to steal razor blades.
On 19th March he stole meat from the Co-op in Shamrock Street.
On 23rd March he stole coffee from the Co-op in North Street, Lochgelly.
On 24th March he stole meat from the Shamrock Street store and he returned there again four days later to steal some more meat.
Defence solicitor James Moncrieff said his client had a long-standing drugs problem. “He was stealing to fund his heroin addiction. He’s aware he has a bad record,” he added.
Sheriff Charles MacNair said, “You have a truly dreadful record.” He jailed him for nine months.
