A man who attempted to break into a Moray home with a crowbar, while armed with a kitchen knife, has avoided a prison sentence.
Aaron Baker, from Lossiemouth, tried to get into the property on May 19 last year while acting with other people.
Yesterday, the 21-year-old was spared a spell behind bars after pleading guilty at Elgin Sheriff Court to charges of attempted housebreaking and possessing a bladed item without reasonable excuse.
Defence solicitor Matthew O’Neill stressed his client had no intention of using the knife on the night of the offence.
However, Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood said that was “no excuse” for possessing the item.
He said: “I have spent far too long at post-mortems of people who have been stabbed by people who didn’t intend on using a knife.
“It’s the worst excuse that I have heard. Why have it then?”
He added: “These offences could easily attract significant spells in custody. If you choose to go breaking into houses while carrying knives, then you can expect to go to jail, it’s as simple as that.”
Fiscal Alex Swain described witnesses being woken at about 2.40am after hearing banging outside the Drainie Way home in Lossiemouth, which was unoccupied at the time.
Neighbours saw two men wearing head torches while attempting to get in through the patio doors.
Miss Swain said: “Police were contacted and attended. Meanwhile, other residents became aware of the noise and heard the name Aaron being shouted.
“Police traced the accused nearby. He was searched and found to be in possession of a kitchen knife.”
After being arrested, Baker made admissions to the police. CCTV footage recovered from the area identified the accused as being in the area at the time.
Officers went to the home the following day and noticed that damage had been caused to the patio doors.
Mr O’Neill said: “Regrettably, Mr Baker has very little recollection of the evening in question. He had been with a group of friends and unfortunately his friends had been taking valium during the evening.
“He apologises for the decisions he made on that night.”
Baker, of Faroes Court in Lossiemouth, was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and was placed under supervision for two years.