News / Thief remanded after shoplifting spree
A SHOPLIFTER who stole various items from six different Lerwick retailers over a three-month period has been remanded in custody.
Thirty nine year old Jamie Neill, of Sandveien, Lerwick, was denied bail on Wednesday having admitted to a string of dishonesties beginning on 30 October last year.
Neill stole electrical and hardware items from Boots Chemist between 30 October and 30 December. He also stole two DVD players from the Cooperative supermarket and four computer mice from Shetland Library on Christmas Eve.
He also stole a stylus and cable from Shetland Office Supplies that day, while on 15 December he took a speaker, headphones and other items from the Camera centre on Commercial Street.
On 30 December he targeted the Shetland Times Bookshop, stealing two wallets, two pocket diaries, a book light and a magnifier.
Most recently, he stole food from Tesco’s supermarket on South Road on 6 January.
He also admitted to being in another house at Sandveiein without lawful authority so that it could reasonably be inferred that he intended to commit theft on 24 February – an offence committed whilst on bail.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the shopliftings were of a combined value in excess of £1,000 in “a course of conduct extended over a period of three months”.
The fiscal said Neill was not in a position to control his abuse of intoxicants, and said it “may be to his own benefit if he is remanded in custody”.
Neill’s defence agent said there had been “significant recovery” of most, if not all, the items his client had stolen. Having been remanded since 25 February, he said Neill would accept the imposition of a curfew if bail was granted.
Sheriff Philip Mann said it would not be in the public interest for Neill to be released, and remanded him. Background reports are to be prepared and sentence has been deferred until 15 April.
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