Meat thief asks court to send him to jail

Apr 2 2008

A HAMILTON man caught stealing meat asked to be sent to jail.

However, George Crawley changed his mind when his request was granted.

Crawley, of 8 Wylie Street, appeared from custody at East Kilbride District Court on Thursday.

He admitted stealing the meat worth more than £74 from a shop at 3 Kingsgate Park, East Kilbride, the day before.

At the time of the offence he was already on bail.

Crawley’s solicitor said the 53-year-old was an alcoholic who lived alone and was in receipt of incapacity benefit.

He was in a desperate situation as he tended to spend all the money he received on drink, leaving little left over for food.

Crawley, the agent said, was making the very unusual request that the court give him a custodial sentence because he felt he needed time to sort himself out.

He did not even have his bus fare home and was not due to get any more cash for a week.

After taking time to consider the case, Justice Anne Berney called for a social inquiry report and offered the accused the opportunity to be held in custody until it was prepared.

However, to the court’s surprise, Crawley decided he did, afterall, wish bail and he was freed pending his next court appearance on April 23.