Inverness shoplifter ‘fell off the wagon after his father died’
A 53-year-old Inverness man who committed 45 previous shoplifting offences in the last 11 years was ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid community work after previously admitting another similar charge.
Iain Lindsay, of Lawers Way, had been arrested on warrant after previously failing to appear for an Inverness Sheriff Court hearing and pleaded guilty to stealing £21 worth of alcohol from the Scotmid in Hilton on July 9 and 17 last year.
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Sheriff Iain Cruickshank was told none of it was recovered. The sheriff called for a background report and released Lindsay from custody last month.
Lindsay re-appeared for sentence before Sheriff Neil Wilson who imposed the community payback order as an alternative to a fine.
Defending, Graham Mann had told the court that his client was "frail" but had been staying off the drink for some time until last year.
"His father passed away and he has now been diagnosed with the same condition as his father's had,” Mr Mann said. “He had been a more infrequent visitor to court since 2019 after staying off the drink for a number of years.
"But he fell off the wagon after his father died."
