The Tuesday court round-up.
Gambling with freedom
A gambling addict stole a laptop and bankcard from his girlfriend to feed his habit.
Gavin Anderson used the card to withdraw £300 from a TSB cashpoint in Arbroath.
The 32-year-old appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted two counts of theft and one of stealing from an ATM.
The court heard he took his partner’s Macbook laptop from her home in High Street, Arbroath sometime in January, this year, and helped himself to her bankcard on February 27.
Solicitor Billy Rennie said: “This is related to a gambling addiction.
“The relationship now seems to be over.”
Sheriff Derek Reekie told Anderson: “There clearly needs to be some kind of intervention and input from the social work department to identify an appropriate disposal.”
Anderson, of Mill Gate, Arbroath, will be sentenced on April 28.
Chef on Register
Fife chef John Lennie left a co-worker “visibly upset and scared” by making a series of lewd remarks about and to her. The 51-year-old was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will be sentenced later.
Dicing with death
A man drove through a railway level crossing in Angus when a train was approaching, a court has heard.
Craig Ross admitted driving without due care and attention at the crossing on Station Road, Carnoustie, on August 19, last year.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the 41-year-old, of Dalhousie Street, Carnoustie, drove his black Volvo over the tracks while lights were showing red.
The case called in Ross’s absence.
Sheriff Derek Reekie deferred sentenced until March 24.
Poacher struggle
A poacher struggled with police, who had to pull their PAVA spray, after being caught at a Fife nature reserve. Kenneth Dobell threw his fishing gear into Loch Binnie and fled when police approached, before returning to his van and grappling with waiting officers.
Stalker
A Perthshire stalker sent his ex-girlfriend unwanted letters and presents.
Jason Clark pled guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which caused his former partner fear or alarm, between January 1, 2019, and Valentine’s Day 2020.
The 30-year-old, of Main Street, Almondbank, repeatedly sent her text messages and went to her home address in Crieff.
He also repeatedly posted unwanted letters and delivered unwanted gifts, according to court papers.
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie said the ex-partner is in favour of the court issuing a non-harassment order.
Sheriff Alison Michie deferred sentence for background reports until April 13.
German tourist who caused Dundee biker’s death is admonished
The full caseload of the Dundee Crime and Courts Team can be found here.
