Man appears at Peterhead Sheriff Court to face theft by housebreaking charge

An alleged thief has appeared in court accused of breaking into a building.

Ian Thomson was charged after police launched an investigation in the town earlier this month.

The 31-year-old appeared at a private hearing at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday facing a charge of theft by housebreaking.

It comes after two buildings were allegedly broken into in the Buchan town between 3 and 5 January.

During one alleged incident, a 15ft mural was claimed to have been extensively damaged at the Kelpie Cafe at Banff Castle.

The mural depicts the hanging of James MacPherson, an outlaw who was executed in the 1700s.

It returned to the north-east four years ago after spending two decades in an Edinburgh attic when Whitehills man John Milne snapped it up.

It was put into storage at Banff Castle.

Police were also called out to investigate an alleged theft by housebreaking at Efes Barbers in the town.

He made no plea and was committed for further examination .

Thomson was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court again next week.