A man who was caught red-handed with property taken from his 86-year-old neighbour has been jailed.
George Lamb had only been freed on bail two days earlier, having broken into a family’s house.
Lamb was found by police on the roof of a home in the dead of night in Dundee’s Strachan Avenue.
He and another, unknown, man had smashed their way in and stolen cash and jewellery — including an engagement ring — while the family were on holiday.
He was released on bail when he appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The following day Lamb’s elderly neighbour had his house broken into while the OAP slept.
Police then raided Lamb’s home and found the stolen items within.
He was jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting a housebreaking charge in relation to the first incident and a reset charge over the OAP’s stolen belongings.
Fiscal depute Vicki Bell told Dundee Sheriff Court: “In respect of the first incident, the accused was found on the roof trying to climb in a window.
“He climbed down and ran off but was found crouching behind a car and out of breath in the next street.
“He was in possession of an iPod, stamps and a letter in the name of the complainer.
“When cautioned he said ‘it wasn’t me’.
“It was later found that £400 in coins, jewellery — including the female occupant’s engagement ring — and other items were missing from the property.
“He appeared in court on September 5 in relation to this matter and was released on bail.
“In relation to charge two, a theft by housebreaking occurred on September 6 at the address of an 86-year-old neighbour of the accused.
“A number of items were stolen including a laptop, watch and a set of keys.
“A search warrant was executed at the accused’s home the following day and the items were found therein.”
Lamb, 29, a prisoner at Perth, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of housebreaking committed on September 2 and a charge of reset committed while on bail on September 7.
Defence solicitor Jim Caird said: “He accepts full responsibility for this and is ashamed of himself.
“He says he does not know who he was with when he broke into the house and does not know who gave him the items from the second break in.”
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