A former Aberdeen restaurateur has been given four weeks to prove he is willing to tackle his drug addiction issues after he admitted a string of theft charges.
Chris Tonner pleaded guilty to a series of crimes, including stealing a car and trying to break into others, last month.
The former chief executive of now-defunct company Beetroot Restaurants Limited appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing today.
The 40-year-old was handed a four-week reprieve as a chance to prove he can comply with a drug treatment and testing order ahead of any sentencing.
The court heard that he had been initially reluctant to do so and showed an attitude that was “wholly unacceptable”.
Defence agent Neil McRoberts, however, said his client had had a change of heart and was ready to take part in the order.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan told Tonner: “It’s unfortunate that you didn’t really show the proper level of enthusiasm at the start for this, but you seem to have had a think and a change of heart and are going to cooperate with this fully.
“I am deferring sentence for four weeks to give you chance to comply and attend every appointment in that time.”
Tonner’s appearance in court marks a dramatic downturn in fortunes for the former chef.
On August 4, last year, while acting with another person, he stole a car from the city’s Richmond Terrace. He was later caught driving it, without insurance, on Wingate Place.
Later that same month, on August 31, he was caught trying the door handles of two other cars at Balmoral Place.
Police found him actually inside a third car and he was charged with intent to commit a theft.
On November 6, 2021 Tonner stole headphones, a passport and a jumpstart kit from within an unlocked car parked on the city’s Wallfield Place.
Fall from grace
Tonner’s firm used to operate both The Adelphi Kitchen and barbecue restaurant Cue – formerly The Courtyard – until both closed during the oil and gas downturn.
He hit the headlines again in 2019 when his wedding catering firm Salt and Sauce went bust, just two years after its inception, leaving dozens of couples’ plans in tatters.
The caterer’s parent company Gilbert and Joseph was dissolved three months earlier in March 2019.
Tonner, of Richmond Walk, had his sentencing deferred until next month.
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