Carfin thief nabbed in the middle of burglary

Feb 18 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

A THIEF downed Valium at a party before being caught nicking electrical goods from a number of garages in a residential street last weekend.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard this week that John Keys had been seen breaking into garages at a number of addresses in Springbank Crescent, Carfin, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Cops caught the thief red-handed after a brief pursuit.

Fiscal depute Jackie Spiers told the court that, at around 3.40am on February 14, residents were awakened by a noise in the street.

Witnesses saw 38-year-old Keys and another man at a garage door in Springbank Crescent and the police were alerted.

As witnesses awaited police, they saw the accused and his accomplice enter another garage nearby and emerge carrying a large cardboard box, which Ms Spiers said contained electrical items.

Police attending then observed the duo at yet another garage. “However,” said Ms Spiers, “police disturbed the accused and he and his accomplice made off.

“Officers pursued the pair before managing to apprehend the accused.

“They found him carrying a stolen torch, two screwdrivers and a pair of black leather gloves.

“A box containing electrical goods was also found nearby.

“Officers took the accused to Hamilton Police Office. When charged, he made no reply.”

Keys, of Loanhead Road, Newarthill, admitted stealing a torch from one garage, a box of electrical goods from another, and being found in the garden of a third address with the intent to steal.

However, the Crown accepted his not guilty pleas to a further charge of being found in a garden with the intent to steal and possessing diazepam, a class-C drug.

Defending, Diarmid Bruce explained that Keys did not have a lengthy criminal record, having previous convictions for reset, attempted fraud and road offences.

Mr Bruce continued: “He had been at a party and had downed a few drinks. He believes he may have been taking a quantity of Valium at this party, which he knows as ‘blues’.

“He has been anxious to plead guilty today.”

Sheriff John Miller deferred sentence on Keys until March 15 and granted him bail in the meantime.