I’ll kill myself, shoplifter told store detective

Jun 19 2008 by Alastair McNeill

A HAMILTON man threatened to kill himself after being caught shoplifting in the town’s ASDA store.

Store detectives caught Daniel McLear on March 11 this year as he was leaving the supermarket.

The 40-year-old also told them: ‘This is f****** rubbish.

“You’ve got me six months in Barlinnie.’

After making the threat to kill himself, he took out a bottle of the heroin substitute methadone and began drinking from it.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last week McLear, of Low Waters Road, pleaded guilty to charges of stealing goods to the value of £149.09 from the store.

He further admitted committing a breach of the peace by shouting, swearing, conducting himself in a disorderly manner and placing the detectives in a state of fear and alarm.

Fiscal-depute Sarah McCall told Sheriff David Bicket that the detectives saw McLear pushing a trolley full of unpaid goods which he had selected from store shelves.

McLear then made his way to the check out, but turned away towards the exit.

The accused, said Ms McCall, was also seen signalling with his hand to someone at the checkout before he made his way outside with the goods.

When he was apprehended by the store detectives he told them he would remember them in future and assault them.

McLear then made the threat to kill himself and began drinking the methadone.

His lawyer, solicitor advocate Charles Ferguson, told Sheriff Bicket that his client regretted carrying out the offences.

Mr Ferguson also pointed out that McLear had been on a methadone programme at the time and receiving assistance from the community addiction team.

Sheriff Bicket deferred sentence until July 14 for reports.

Bail was continued with the condition that McLear does not enter Asda, Hamilton - and does not approach or contact, or attempt to approach or contact, the store detectives.