A sheriff has jailed a “despicable” Angus thief who stole a poppy collection tin just 48 hours before Remembrance Day.
Drug addict Ian Robertson swiped the container from the counter of Arbroath’s W H Smith on November 9, days after being released from prison.
The 38-year-old was subsequently given a final chance to stay out of trouble by a sheriff, but blew it in “spectacular fashion” when he smashed the door of the town’s police station with a wheelie bin days before Christmas.
Forfar Sheriff Court previously heard how Robertson, of Newton Avenue, Arbroath, had grabbed the poppy tin after buying scratchcards in the High Street shop.
CCTV pointed police toward the accused and the empty container was found on the roof of a garage near the shop.
Staff did not know how much cash was in it, but Robertson was found with £37 in cash when he was arrested.
The police station offence happened around 10.35pm on December 20 when officers heard a loud banging at the Gravesend station.
Live CCTV showed the accused pushing the wheelie bin against the door, but he then picked it up and threw it against a glass panel, causing £200 of damage.
Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said: “He has an unenviable record.
“He was granted bail and given a chance, which he blew in spectacular fashion.
“He was in a desperate state because he had lost his temporary accommodation, had nowhere to go and had gone to the police station with the intention of asking for assistance.
“He knows the consequences of his actions. He recognises he is at an age where he should know better and should be out of the cycle of offending which keeps taking him back to prison.”
Sheriff Di Emidio jailed Robertson for 200 days.
