A one-time Dundee “hard man” trying to go straight has been given a chance by a sheriff after stealing a grill from a Kirriemuir takeaway.
John Wallace admitted theft by finding after taking the grill from outside Thrums takeaway in the Angus town on March 8 having moved there to leave his criminal past behind him.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the £150 industrial grill had been lying on the street outside the premises for some time when Wallace, 38, of Hillhead Terrace, Kirriemuir, lifted it for scrap value.
When CCTV was examined he was seen taking the item and police found it in the accused’s garden.
Defence solicitor Mike Short said it would be “fair to describe him as a Dundee hard man”, but he has been out of prison for 16 months and is making an effort to take his life in a new direction.
“He’s someone trying to make great amends and has been trouble-free since being released.
“He goes looking for scrap and this grill had been lying around for a number of weeks, but he accepts he cannot just take things like that.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio deferred sentence on Wallace until December 18 for good behaviour.
