A talented artist made efforts to try and break into more than 20 houses in a day after getting hooked on heroin.
John Forbes eventually got into a student flat and stole various items but his attempts to rob a whole street were watched by several witnesses.
Solicitor Jim Laverty, defending, said: “He is a talented artist and was trying to build a portfolio for presentation to college.
“He was hoping he could eventually enter Duncan of Jordanstone art school. He had managed to free himself from a debilitating heroin addiction.
“Everything appeared to be going very much in the right direction. The wheels started to come off when he tried to help a young lady who had been the victim of domestic violence.”
Charity worker
Mr Laverty told the court the woman had a drug addiction and Forbes eventually started using heroin again and was forced to rob houses to feed his habit.
“Having been drug free for approximately 17 months, he unfortunately fell back into misuse over a period of time. It dismays him greatly that he did that.
“Not only was he putting together a portfolio, but he was working voluntarily with the British Heart Foundation six days a week.
“He was trying to repay society for the ills he had caused in his earlier life. It is with utter devastation he finds himself in the position he is in.”
Witnesses
Fiscal depute Stewart Duncan told Dundee Sheriff Court that a teenage student was in her bedroom when she saw the door open slowly and Forbes entered.
He saw her and ran off out into the street empty handed. She and her friends observed as he tried to enter numerous houses and cars in neighbouring Larch Street.
Mr Duncan said: “They observed him trying numerous house doors and car doors between numbers seven and 59. They are not sure exactly how many but he was unsuccessful as they were all secured.”
He was then seen to enter a property in Brook Close which had an open door. He remained inside for five minutes before re-emerging with a handful of stolen goods.
Police arrived at the scene while Forbes was still nearby. He had the stolen items in his hands and confessed: “I got them from the house up the road.”
Threat of ‘significant’ jail time
Forbes, 41, from Dundee, admitted breaking into one property and stealing goods, as well as four other theft-related offences in the city on October 13, 2021.
Sheriff Lorna Drummond deferred sentence for reports and said: “This represents a course of conduct. I would be justified sending you to jail for a significant period.
“Having said that I have listened to what you have tried to do to get your life back on track, the obstacles you encountered, and how you lost your way with that.
“I am willing to consider whether a community disposal might be suitable. It is important to address your behaviour with supervision.
“I have still got concerns there will be substantial risk you will commit further offences,” Sheriff Drummond said as she remanded him in custody.
