A Vale man who stole a bag and clothing from a charity shop has been remanded in custody.

Gary Bathgate, 32, whose address was given as Rosshead House in Heather Avenue, Alexandria was appearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to be sentenced for the theft. 

Bathgate stole the items from the British Heart Foundation shop in Clydebank’s Sylvania Way on March 31 but when he appeared at court the following day sentence was deferred and he was told to stay out of trouble. 

However, on October 12 he was discovered to have heroin in his possession while within Clydebank police office.

When Bathgate appeared back for sentencing the court heard from his defence solicitor Bert Thomson that his client was currently serving a three-months prison sentence for another theft matter. The solicitor added his client has ‘drugs issues’.

Sheriff Simon Fraser said: “On April 1, and it was no April Fool, I said if he reoffends he was going to jail.”

The sheriff then turned to the accused and said: “Mr Bathgate when I say to someone I am going to send them to jail then 99.9 per cent of the time that’s what I do otherwise the words become meaningless but I will defer sentence for a restriction of liberty assessment and a social work report.”

Bathgate was remanded in custody and will appear again on December 1.