Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Man turned to shoplifting after Universal Credit switch left him penniless By James Wyllie April 4 2019, 7:33 am April 4 2019, 7:33 am Share Man turned to shoplifting after Universal Credit switch left him penniless Share via Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Messenger Linkedin Email Post link https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/1715888/man-turned-to-shoplifting-after-universal-credit-switch-left-him-penniless/ Copy Link It is believed Decathlon will take over a unit at Union Square An Aberdeen man said he was forced to turn to a life of crime after changes to his benefits left him with no money. Shoplifter Kevin Mair struck at the Union Square shopping centre on three occasions in February and made off with close to £600 in goods. This included a hefty haul of phone cases and accessories from O2, and £140 of bedding from Homesense. The 43-year-old, of Balnagask Avenue, confessed to the thefts at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday. His solicitor Graeme Murray said: “He was placed on Universal Credit and given a six-week period with absolutely no income whatsoever. “His benefits have now been reinstated but are half of what he was receiving before. “He has been struggling to deal with that.” Mair was released on bail and will be sentenced later this month.
