Thief warned 'don't blow this chance' after admitting offences at Inverness Sheriff Court
A 31-year-old Inverness man who went on a theft spree in the city last summer was urged by a aheriff to take the chance of a drug treatment and testing order if he was deemed suitable for the compulsory detoxification.
Arin Proudfoot, described as an Inverness prisoner, appeared for sentence by video link at Inverness Sheriff Court represented by solicitor advocate Shahid Latif.
Proudfoot had previously admitted four charges of theft by housebreaking, one of shoplifting and one of threatening behaviour by brandishing a bicycle chain.
An initial drug treatment and testing order assessment was obtained while Proudfoot was in custody and when he appeared again before Sheriff David Harvie, the court decided to proceed to the next step with Proudfoot being released on bail..
But Sheriff Harvie warned Proudfoot: "This is not the final decision. Custody remains as an option. So no further offending. Don't blow this chance."
Proudfoot had pleaded guilty to stealing household items, electrical goods and toiletries from Farmfoods in the Telford Retail Park on June 1, 2023.
On August 7, 2023 he broke into the Charleston Post Office and the nearby Taste of China takeaway and stole various goods including meat.
His crime spree came to an end at Go Outdoors, again in the Telford Retail Park, when he stole a jacket on September 24, 2023 and behaved in an aggressive manner in the store.
