A hapless career thief had both his latest crimes and his forlorn attempts to cash in his stolen loot captured on camera.
Andrew Shaw was first recorded in high definition on a private CCTV system as he robbed cars in Manson Crescent – yards from the wall of Perth Prison.
Hours later his image was being burned to disk once again as he attempted to trade two high-value iPods for enough money to score a heroin fix.
He has already been returned to a cell in the prison as he awaits sentencing for the latest in a long line of crimes of dishonesty.
Shaw, 30, was once a soldier and saw active service overseas but since leaving the military has descended into drug addiction, thievery and even fire-raising.
His latest misdemeanours took place in January, just a few months after his release from a two-year prison sentence imposed following a spate of earlier thefts.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the owners of a house in the city’s Manson Terrace had unwisely left iPods worth an estimated £350 in clear view within vehicles parked in their driveway.
That proved too tempting a target for the passing Shaw who had fallen back into heroin use and was struggling with his personal life.
Unfortunately for him, he was captured on the householders’ security cameras as he rummaged through the vehicles, leaving the contents of their glove-boxes strewn carelessly around the cars.
The police were contacted the following morning and officers were able to take clear images of Shaw from the footage.
His victims then had the foresight to make a swift visit to a number of city centre shops where items can be traded for money.
They passed on to staff a description of the accused and details of the two iPods he had stolen.
Within hours that quick thinking had paid off as Shaw popped into one of the stores in the hope of securing a payout.
One suspicious member of staff processed his transaction while another called the police, all the while ensuring CCTV was again trained on him.
After asking Shaw to sign for a receipt, staff asked him to return with photographic ID before claiming his money.
Police officers were waiting when he returned to the store a short time later.
Shaw, described as a prisoner at Perth, admitted two charges of stealing iPods from insecure cars in Manson Terrace on January 28.
Solicitor David Holmes admitted his client had difficulties but asked the court to consider seeking a report from social workers before sentencing him.
“Given his recent imprisonment he had good reason to keep out of trouble but he simply found it too difficult to deal with his problem with heroin.
“That is why he committed this offence. He has sought help since being remanded in Perth Prison.
Sheriff William Wood agreed to defer sentence for reports, though he said he did so “with some hesitation”.
He said: “Tempting though it may be simply to impose a further period in custody, I am willing to call for reports to look at your difficulties.
“I make no promises. Jail is at the forefront of my mind.”
Sentence was deferred until May 9. Shaw was remanded in custody.
