A former soldier and Scotland U-16 footballer who “lost his grip on life” was jailed for 24 months after admitting to a “spree” of thefts.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how Andrew Shaw, 28, c/o HM Perth Prison, embarked on a series of thefts from friends after leaving the Army where he had served in Afghanistan.
He stole from a caravan park office and from nine cars including a TV, an acoustic guitar, a fishing rod and a satellite navigation system.
Solicitor David Duncan, defending, said his client was discharged from the Army and then “lost his grip on life.”
“This spiralled and my client had a multitude of issues which put him where he was,” he told the court.
Mr Duncan said Shaw had “welcomed” a period in custody and was battling to cure substance misuse.
While in custody he did a Scottish Football Association (SFA) coaching course and rebuilt relationships with his family.
The court was told Shaw stole from people he knew and was caught several times. He left his DNA and fingerprints at several crime scenes.
He left a trail of blood in the office at Braidhaugh Caravan Park after he injured himself ripping two televisions off the wall and was later spotted on CCTV carrying one onto a bus.
Shaw admitted a series of charges, including that between May 30 and October 10, last year, at addresses in Perth and Crieff he stole items from cars, a caravan park office and a council-owned building.
Sentencing Shaw, Sheriff William Wood, told him: “You have an appalling record after having a very promising start to your young life.”