A Dundee man was described as being “frightened of a life without alcohol” after he admitted robbing his neighbour’s flat a few hours after seeing the man being led away by police, the sheriff court heard.
Paul William Barton, 51, of St Columba Gardens, was heard breaking into the flat by a neighbour, who called the police.
Officers arrived to find Barton emerging from the house and heading for his flat next door.
When searched, he was found in possession of items from the neighbour’s house.
Barton was jailed for 15 months by Sheriff Alastair Brown after admitting that on August 9 2014 he broke into the flat at St Columba Gardens and stole a penknife, a necklace and a box of Commonwealth pin badges, while on bail.
Depute fiscal Vicki Bell told the court the complainer left his property in the company of the police and, at 9.55pm, a downstairs neighbour heard loud banging on the man’s door immediately above and kicking noises.
The neighbour then heard the sound of footsteps in the flat and called police.
Solicitor advocate Jim Laverty said Barton had “no real recollection” of the offence and had mental health and alcohol issues.
He had managed to curtail his alcohol abuse, but in 2011 that control was lost after his long-term partner passed away.
He described Barton as “a regular attender” at the court for lengthy spells, becoming involved with a “certain peer group”, before gaining control again. In 2013 and 2014, however, his alcohol problems “overtook him”.
Mr Laverty told the court: “Thereafter his alcohol problems overtook him again. He tells me he is frightened of a life without alcohol.
“This is the root of his difficulties and has been a constant problem for him over the past few years.
“He’s been living in a vacuum without the support of his long-term partner.
“He’s playing Russian roulette with his alcohol abuse, and unless he is willing to address that then he’s likely to continue to be a regular visitor to this court.
“It wasn’t until he was in his early forties with the drink-driving offence and the loss of his partner that his life spiralled out of control.”
Sheriff Brown told Barton that given his history it was not difficult to see how his current difficulties had come about in his life.
He said: “If in a social work report there appears to be some prospect of help for someone and a difference can be made, then I am willing to take a chance with a community-based sentence.
“Mr Laverty tells me you are frightened of a life without alcohol and the social work reporter says you do not wish to refrain from alcohol, there is nothing I can do.”
The sheriff added he hoped a spell in prison away from alcohol would result in him being able to stay away from abusing it in the future.