A Milnathort man crept into his neighbour’s home through a back window and took his car for a joyride.
Brazen thief Stephen Boyle, who also stole containers of cash, later returned to the man’s door and told him: “Here’s your spare car keys back.”
The 45-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted stealing from the property – a few doors down from his mum’s house in Bowling Green Avenue.
As his lawyer explained how Boyle’s actions had broken down trust among his neighbours, Sheriff Grant McCulloch said: “I don’t trust him either.”
Cat burglar
Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton said: “On the morning of May 10, the complainer left his home.
”He secured it but left a rear kitchen window slightly open to give access to his cat.”
The man’s Vauxhall Insignia was parked and secured in the driveway.
The prosecutor told the court: “At around midday on May 11, neighbours saw the accused at the property, looking through the front windows.
“He knocked on the door and peered through the windows again, before going round the back where he was lost to sight.”
Mr Hamilton said: “A short while later, he appeared at the complainer’s vehicle.
“He unlocked it and drove off.”
Neighbours went to investigate and saw the back kitchen window was wide open.
Boyle returned with the car about 30 minutes later.
Knock at the door
At around 6pm, Boyle returned to the house.
He was again seen looking through windows and knocking on the front door.
“He then went to the back of the property,” Mr Hamilton said.
“He then returned to the driveway and got into the complainer’s vehicle.”
Later, the homeowner arrived to find his car missing.
“Neighbours approached him and told him what had happened,” said the fiscal depute.
“The complainer went inside and noticed a number of items had been moved.
“A big glass jar with various denominations of coins was missing.
“A red tin containing coins had also been taken.”
The incident was reported to police.
Mr Hamilton said: “The complainer answered a knock at his door, thinking it was the police.
”It was the accused standing at his front door. The car was back in the driveway.”
Boyle told him: “Here’s your spare car keys back.”
The fiscal depute said: “Officers then attended and found the accused on the doorstep, explaining to the complainer why he had his car keys.
“The complainer confirmed to police that the accused had no permission whatsoever to take his vehicle.”
When arrested, Boyle told cops: “It’s stupidity.”
Trust issues
Boyle pled guilty to entering the house at Bowling Green Avenue on May 11 and stealing a tin of money, a jar of money and car keys.
He also admitted taking and driving away his victim’s car without consent, with no licence or insurance.
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said: “It’s not very nice, is it?
”He lives with his mother down the street and it’s still not clear the damage he has done to this community.
“They don’t know if he can be trusted.”
Sheriff Grant McCulloch interjected: “I don’t trust him either, having seen his record.”
The sheriff deferred sentence for background reports.
He told Boyle: “I don’t know why you thought it was okay to take this man’s car and steal his coins.”
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