Charity box thief caged

Aug 12 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A RECOVERING drug addict who stole two charity boxes containing £30 was jailed for six months when he appeared for sentence at the Sheriff Court yesterday.

Sheriff Robert McCreadie branded Graeme Bell’s actions as “squalid and shameful.”

And he noted that the offence had taken place the day after he had appeared in court in connection with another equally squalid crime – pocketing a fellow employee’s wages.

Bell (27), of Uist Place, North Muirton, admitted stealing the charity boxes from The Tower Bakery in St John Street, Perth, on June 19.

Sentence on a further charge of stealing £180 from The Ice Factory, Shore Road, Perth, on January 20 was deferred until October 30.

Depute fiscal Vicki Bell said that Bell had gone to the bakery with a friend who had ordered food.

As the two shop assistants were preparing it in the back shop, Bell took the boxes.

He was seen outside with his jacket “bulging” as if there was something hidden inside it. Shortly afterwards, staff discovered the theft.

He was later traced by police and admitted he had taken the two boxes, which contained approximately £30 in coins.

Solicitor Billy Somerville described the theft as “opportunistic and stupid.”

He had a previous long-standing problem with heroin but had made significant progress since he last appeared in court.

Mr Somerville submitted that a jail term would set him back.

But Sheriff Robert McCreadie imposed a six-month term, telling Bell: “This was a second squalid and shameful offence involving the theft of money intended for charity.”

The accused was also ordered to pay £30 in compensation by January 8.