A “Para Handy” pensioner’s bungled attempt to steal an Angus fishing boat has landed him in hot water.
Norman Hill, 69, of West Mains of Ballindarg, Forfar, ended up in a dock of a different kind following the “daft” plan, which was described as being “doomed to fail”.
Hill was caught attempting to get the old tub out of Montrose Harbour using a getaway car with false number plates which were precariously held on byelastic bands.
“It was silly,” said Hill at Forfar Sheriff Court, after pleading guilty to two charges of taking the boat and trailer from the port’s north quay on September 24 and putting falseregistration plates on a vehicle in an attempt to disguise its true identity and defeat the ends of justice.
Not guilty pleas by Hill’s co-accused, James Burns, 69, of Haldane Crescent, Dundee, were accepted.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond saidharbour staff witnessed Hill’s silverMercedes enter the harbour ataround 7.35am.
The fishing boat was on a towing trailer and the car reversed up to the slipway and attached it to the tow bar.
Police were called and the car was pulled over and a PNC check carried out on the registration mark.
It was discovered that the plates were from a black Kia and had been secured to the vehicle using elastic bands.
Hill told police he had been told he could just take the boat out fishing as long as he brought it back.
Defence agent Nick Whelan said the plan concocted by Hill who had not been in trouble for 40 years had ended up “like an episode of Para Handy”.
He said: “His friend was not very well and he wanted to take him out on afishing trip.
“The boat was not in good condition and had been lying in the harbour for a long time.
“He was aware this boat had laiddormant for a lengthy period of time.The plan was doomed to fail because of the barrier system they were never getting out of the harbour.”
Mr Whelan said Hill planned to return the boat after the fishing trip and did not think it would be missed.
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said: “But there was some degree of planning.”
Mr Whelan responded: “Not good planning, my Lord. A particularly good barrier system prevents this kind of thing from happening.
“Please take this for what they tell me it was a daft scheme dreamed up so that two old pals could go fishing.”
Addressing Hill directly, the sheriff fined him £400.