Hamilton theif jailed for 8 months

Jan 21 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

A MAN who breached probation by stealing from two Hamilton stores last month has been jailed for eight months.

William Murray (34), of Neilsland Road, Hamilton, stole a CD player from the Early Learning Centre and clothing from Internacionale, both in the Regent Way Shopping Centre, on December 15 last year.

However, the Crown accepted his not guilty plea to trespassing on the railway line at Hamilton Central station on the same date.

At the time, Murray was subject to a 12-month probation order, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard last week.

The serial shoplifter was given the order on October 21 last year.

He and a co-accused, Susan Colquhoun of Hamilton, had admitted stealing a quantity of beauty products and a saw from the town’s Aldi store in Wellhall Road on September 8.

Murray has a lengthy criminal record, with numerous convictions for theft as well as contempt of court, assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement and attempted robbery and drugs offences.

Sheriff Douglas Brown sentenced the accused to four months’ imprisonment for the probation breach and a further four months for the December 15 thefts.