A serial bird thief with a fixation for small creatures has been given six months to prove he can behave.
Dean Wells, of Fochabers, stole 24 racing pigeons from their loft after creeping into a pensioner’s garden in the middle of the night.
Great-grandfather George Howie woke up to find his prized birds taken from his Aberdeen home along with one of his wicker baskets on April 27.
When police were called in to investigate the crime, they turned up at Wells’ home to find him in his bedroom surrounded by the birds.
The 23-year-old has a history of stealing feathered creatures, and is currently serving a six month sentence for breaking into sheds in Elgin.
On December 14 and 15 last year he broke into coops belonging to two Elgin brothers and nicked 19 pigeons – worth a total of £2,200.
He was sent to jail in August after appearing at Elgin Sheriff Court and admitting the thefts.
Wells was also convicted of theft after stashing three of his uncle’s budgies in his pockets four years ago.
And yesterday, he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing after previously admitting stealing £1,000 worth of award-winning doos from 72-year-old Mr Howie’s loft.
His solicitor Brent Lockie said: “It’s a somewhat unusual theft with a somewhat unusual background.”
Mr Lockie said his client had been taking valium and alcohol at the time of the offence.
He said he believed Wells had turned a corner because he had been making plans for his release and was on track to secure a place at a rehabilitation centre.
The bird thief lost a young child and was embarrassed to be taken to the funeral in front of other family members in handcuffs.
He said: “He has a partner and a young child. She has very much struggled having to look after the child herself and that again has been a salutary lesson.”
Sheriff William Taylor deferred sentence for six months for Wells to be of good behaviour.