Thief jailed for stealing £2k of OAP’s jewellery

A thief broke into an elderly couple’s home and stole £2,000 worth of jewellery.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard John McGrandle, 23, also stole 600 euros from the couple, who are both aged 78.

McGrandle, who has a number of previous convictions for theft by housebreaking, was jailed for 27 months and two weeks.

Fiscal depute Vicki Bell told the court the married couple locked and secured their home on Glasgow Road, Perth, on May 7 last year, at 1.30pm.

The fiscal said: “They returned home at 4.15pm and saw a light on in the study.

“They saw glass on the ground and a window smashed, and noticed the back door was open.”

When they entered their home, the pair saw cupboards and drawers had been searched in all rooms.

Police were contacted and 600 euros, car keys worth £250, and a gold bracelet worth £500 were reported stolen.

A signet ring worth £200 was also taken, a watch worth £200, two lockets worth £200 each and a bracelet worth £200.

Cuff links worth £150, a necklace worth £100, a camera worth £100 and £80 in cash had also been taken.

The fiscal added: “Scenes of crime officers attended and fingerprints were taken, which were found to belong to the accused.”

McGrandle, a prisoner of Perth, admitted breaking into the home and stealing jewellery, a camera, £80 cash and 600 euros, on May 7 last year.

He further admitted breaking into Buttars Loan Service Station, at Buttars Loan, and stealing a MIG welder, a battery charger and three socket sets on April 13 last year.

The fiscal told the court the garage’s owner arrived that day and found several doors had been forced open at the premises.

Police were contacted and McGrandle was again identified by his finger prints.

Sheriff Drummond said: “Both charges are serious, in particular the charge in which you targeted elderly people and stole a substantial amount of items from them. You

also have previously convictions for theft by housebreaking which makes it all the more serious.”