A Peterhead man was caught with hundreds of pounds-worth of heroin by police officers who gave chase after he was seen stealing a £15 bottle of methadone from a house in the town.
Aaron Rennie was found with the haul – as well as plastic gloves and a balaclava – when he fell over as he tried to flee.
The 28-year-old, a prisoner at HMP Grampian, admitted three separate charges of theft, resisting arrest and assault when he appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday.
Fiscal Depute David Bernard said Rennie had broken into a property on King Street on November 9 last year and stolen a bottle of methadone, worth about £15 on the streets.
“Officers saw the accused near the locus and instructed him to stop,” he said.
“However, the accused turned from the officers and he was pursued by officers along King Street, Peterhead.”
Constables were only able to restrain Rennie when he tripped on St Peter Street. He had in his possession a balaclava, plastic gloves and 10 wraps of diamorphine which was said to be worth up to £550.
On December 23, Rennie and an associate knocked on the door of another home in Shore Street, Fraserburgh.
When the occupant opened the door, Rennie launched an attack against him which left him bruised and bleeding.
Mr Bernard added: “Unprovoked and without warning, Mr Rennie punched the complainer in the nose and headbutted him. A
“As a result of the attack against him, the complainer sustained injuries – a bruise to his nose and a bump to his head. There was also bleeding from his head.
“The complainer, however, did not need medical attention.”
Following yesterday’s guilty plea, Sheriff Andrew Miller adjourned the case to allow for background reports on Rennie’s circumstances to be completed.
It will recall on March 26.