A thief who broke into an Aberdeen church and stole money from a collection tin, as well as more than £2,000 of IT equipment, has been jailed.
Lee Anderson, 42, snuck into the office of Gerrard Street Baptist Church and rifled through drawers and cupboards before fleeing with two laptops, a tablet and £20 from a collection tin.
His solicitor said the serial housebreaker now wants to “atone for what he did and move on”.
In a separate incident, Anderson assaulted a warehouse worker and dragged a Stanley knife over his own neck.
Police identified thief through CCTV
Fiscal depute Dylan Middleton told the court that at around 3.50pm on January 26 this year the pastor at Gerrard Street Baptist Church secured the office door within the church but left the main door open, as was usual.
However, when an assistant minister returned at 5pm, he found the door open and the office ransacked.
A white metal key box had also been opened while a rucksack and a brown leather saddlebag were taken.
Police carried out a CCTV check and identified the man carrying the stolen backpack and saddlebag as Anderson.
Earlier that day, Anderson had appeared at a warehouse on Willowdale Place, Aberdeen, and asked if there were “any jobs available”.
Upon being told no, Anderson left but was later seen standing on the grounds with an umbrella.
When staff informed him it was private property and asked him to leave, he stated “come on then, hit me” and thrust the umbrella into the faces of the men. He also shoved one of them.
As another worker attempted to close the warehouse door, Anderson reached into the pocket of his hi-vis vest and pulled out a knife that strongly resembled a Stanley knife.
He then produced the blade from the casing before dragging it across his own neck and running off.
Anderson, who was on bail at the time, pleaded guilty to one housebreaking and theft charge and a second charge of assault.
He also admitted to a further charge of being in possession of a knife.
‘He wants to atone for what he did’
Defence solicitor Tony Burgess told the court drugs were the root of his client’s behaviour.
“He had relapsed into drug abuse and has little recollection of these incidents, but he accepts that he did it,” Mr Burgess said.
“Mr Anderson has a limited record for violence – it’s not something he normally gets involved in.
“He wants to atone for what he did and move on with his life.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan told Anderson that he had some “serious previous convictions” on his record, particularly for matters concerning dishonesty.
“On this occasion, you have pleaded guilty to housebreaking, assault and being in possession of a bladed implement.
“A period of custody is the only appropriate disposal.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan sentenced Anderson, whose address was given as HMP Grampian, to a total of 23 months in prison.
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