A man has admitted to being involved in the ram raid of a north-east shop which caused £7,000 worth of damage.
Christopher Lee Cheung-McDonough, while acting with others, struck when he found a car left unsecured on Queens Road in Aberdeen on July 1 this year.
In the early hours of the following morning, police were called to Main Street in Newburgh and discovered the front of the Costcutters store had been extensively damaged.
The vehicle was later seen on CCTV driving down the street before returning and reversing into the front of the shop.
Two men, who could not be identified, were subsequently witnessed going into the shop and stealing lager and vodka.
The car was later found abandoned in Old Aberdeen.
Cheung-McDonough confessed to theft of the vehicle and breaking into the shop during an appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
Fiscal depute Colin Neilson revealed the devastating impact of the 20-year-old’s actions.
He said: “£78 of alcohol was stolen, the damage to the shop is approximately £7,000.”
Sheriff William Sheriff deferred sentence on the prisoner at Polmont Brightons in order to obtain reports.
Detective Inspector Stewart Drummond, who led the investigation, thanked members of the public who had assisted the police.
He said: “This was a crass attempt to steal from a quiet community where crimes like this are completely unheard of.
“Cheung-McDonough didn’t care about the fear he would inflict or the damage he would cause.
“I welcome this conviction today and would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the public who assisted with our inquiries at the time.”