An alcoholic who committed a string of thefts and violent crimes across Aberdeen was snared when he left a half-empty can of Tango at the crime scene.
Kevin McCabe, known as Tolmie, left his DNA and fingerprints on the fizzy drink – leading police straight to his door.
The 38-year-old also carried out a knifepoint raid at a Torry newsagent over a single can of beer, telling the frightened worker he’d get his alcohol “one way or another”.
Fiscal depute Alison Reid said Tolmie walked into Icon Stores in Oscar Road on May 20 this year at around 5.25pm.
When staff at the Torry shop confronted him regarding an unrelated incident he began demanding a can of beer, despite saying he didn’t have money to pay for it.
“He was seen to be heavily under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” the fiscal said.
“He was bleeding from a cut to his finger. He was going to leave when he was confronted by the store assistant on an unrelated matter.
“He began demanding a can of beer from her despite saying he had no money to pay for it.
“He then pulled a large orange, bladed kitchen knife from his waistband and brandished it while saying ‘I will get that one way or another’.”
When police later forced entry into his home they were given similar treatment.
“On seeing officers he brandished a large orange kitchen knife and a glass bottle in each hand at officers,” the fiscal added.
Thirsty thief left fizzy drink behind
The court also heard how Tolmie was charged with theft after he entered an unsecured flat in Glenbervie Road in Aberdeen and stole £75 from a woman’s handbag on July 5 last year.
The thirsty thief was caught because he left an opened can of Tango on a worktop, which police later connected to him via DNA and fingerprints.
He admitted four charges of threatening or abusive behaviour, one charge of theft, and another of assaulting a retail worker.
The court also heard how Tolmie threatened to headbutt a shop worker and brandished a glass bottle at a security guard in Asda on Jesmond Drive on May 6 this year.
Defence agent Alex Burn said his client was a chronic alcoholic and all this offending was driven by his need for alcohol.
With regards to the money theft, he said his client’s decision to leave behind the can of Tango was a “foolish one”.
And with regards to his behaviour at Asda, the solicitor said Tolmie “remembered very little” of the incidents.
‘Truly horrified by his actions’
“He is sorry for his behaviour,” Mr Burn added.
“He doesn’t say that because he is in court today and looking for sympathy or smartie points from the court. He is truly horrified by his actions.”
The court heard Tolmie was “realistic about his options” and was aware that “by brandishing a knife at people, be it police or shopkeepers, there’s only one disposal coming his way”.
Sheriff Ian Wallace remanded Tolmie, a prisoner at HMP Grampian, and said a further stint in the Peterhead prison was inevitable.
However, he called for the production of background reports and deferred sentencing until next month.
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