Hawick 51-year-old given unpaid work order for thefts from cars in Galashiels

Patrick Loyden admitted committing those offences at Wilderhaugh on May 1 and Lawyers Brae on May 8.

Loyden, formerly of Torwoodlee Road in Galashiels but now living at Hillend Drive in Hawick, caused £200 damage apiece to both vehicles by smashing glass to break into them.

Fiona Hamilton, prosecuting, told Selkirk Sheriff Court the first witness had parked her vehicle in Wilderhaugh on Wednesday, May 1, at around 1.30pm.

She said: “She had left items in the car. When she returned, the nearside window was smashed, and a bag containing shopping and £60 in cash was missing.

“There was a tile-cutter found beside the vehicle.”

Closed-circuit TV footage led police to the accused, however.

When they arrived at his home address, Loyden told them he had been expecting them, saying: “I only did it because I was skint.”

The second offence, committed in Lawyers Brae, saw him again smashing a window, causing £200 damage, and he then stole a purse containing bank cards.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Clinkscale said: “He had been released from prison shortly before committing these offences and had no money.”

Sheriff Raymond McMenamin told Loyden he had a bad criminal record and he would be entitled to send him to prison for those offences.

Instead, however, he imposed a 12-month supervision order, as well as requiring him to do 120 hours’ unpaid work.