Larkhall man jailed for trying to steal £4000 generator

Nov 19 2009

A LARKHALL man was this week jailed for trying to steal a generator worth £4000 with a crane.

Sandy Hamilton and two other men were seen driving into a builders’ yard in Longridge in West Lothian.

A witness whose property backs on to the yard saw them make their early evening visit on June 26 this year.

He watched as they used the crane to load the generator on to their vehicle.

Concerned about their behaviour, the neighbour phoned the owner of the yard and he confirmed no-one was supposed to be there.

Fiscal depute Claire Martin told Livingston Sheriff Court the police were called.

“The owner of the yard made his way to the locus and on arrival he blocked the access road with his vehicle to prevent anyone leaving the yard,” she explained.

“The accused began moving the vehicle he was in along the access road until it came to a halt close to the witness’ vehicle.

“He got out and confronted the accused, asking him what he was doing.

“The accused replied he was collecting the generator for someone.

“When asked to elaborate he said it was for a Martin Love, who had bought the generator that day, and that the yard had been open.

“The witness made an excuse about contacting his boss and at that time called the police.”

The police arrived shortly afterwards and arrested the 28- year-old.

Last week Hamilton, whose address was given as Broomhill Road, Larkhall pled guilty to attempting to steal the generator.

His solicitor, Kenneth Bonnington, told the court his client had heard there were items in the builders’ yard that were in a bad condition which he could dispose of for scrap.

Mr Bonnington added: “He was stopped and did wait until the police arrived.

“The conduct does seem to be out of character as far as his recent behaviour is concerned.

“He is in a long-term relationship and his partner, who does not work, and his children rely on him.

“His schedule of convictions are quite significant, but since 2003 there has been very little offending.

“He was on remand from August until October and this has had a significant affect on him and he lost his job as a result.

“Mr Hamilton is considered at a low risk of reoffending and is desperate to avoid custody today.”

However Sheriff Graeme Warner did not accept that Hamilton had thought he was simply stealing scrap metal.

Sentencing him to 10 months’ imprisonment, Sheriff Warner said: “I think this was just a barefaced theft and you did not think for one second that it was scrap.

“You thought it was something very valuable and that is why you were trying to take it.

“If you thought it was scrap, then presumably you would have said that it was just scrap you were taking.

“What you did say was that Martin Love had bought it earlier in the day and you were delivering it to him.

“This was not anywhere near the truth.”