Lidl, M&S, Spar and Co-op hit by Inverness heroin addict’s shoplifting spree
A 46-year-old heroin addict went on a shoplifting spree to fund his habit, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.
Clive Topping, of Bruce Gardens, Inverness appeared before Sheriff Neil Wilson for sentencing on a total of five charges of theft from city shops between July last year and March this year.
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Fiscal depute David Morton said that in total, goods including alcohol, food and other items worth £174.35 were taken from the Spar in Thornbush Road, Inverness; Lidl in Telford Street, Co-op stores in Church Street and Telford Street and Marks and Spencer.
He was also caught buying heroin in an alley in Kessock Road, Inverness on June 16, 2023 to which he also pleaded guilty.
Defending, Clare Russell said: "Normally he is a hard worker but his escalation in substance misuse has led him to become unemployed. The thefts were committed to obtain substances. Opiates are the difficulty but he has been stabilised whilst on remand."
Sheriff Wilson jailed Topping for six months.
