A BALLOCH man who stole an iPad and a Samsung mobile phone from a 73-year-old woman has apparently undergone a “road to Damascus” conversion, a court has heard.

Daniel Mullin appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for sentencing on December 29, after admitting a charge of stealing the items from a flat at Craig Avenue in Alexandria on March 25.

The court heard that 24-year-old Mullin had exchanged the items for cash after stealing them from a friend of his gran's.

But the presiding sheriff, quoting from a social work report on Mullin's circumstances, said the victim of the theft had observed: “He comes in every day to see if I need anything. He's turned into my best friend.”

Fiscal depute Alasdair Shaw told the court: “The items were stolen from the complainer's house when the accused went to visit.

“The complainer is a friend of the accused's grandmother. She is 73, and lives alone at the locus.

“Having stolen the iPad and a Samsung Galaxy phone, the accused went to the Cash Generators shop in Dumbarton and received £55 for the iPad and £50 for the phone.

“When it was realised by the complainer's daughter that the items had been stolen, police were able to seize the iPad and return it to the complainer, but the mobile phone had been sold and could not be returned.”

Mr Shaw said the phone was worth £400 and the iPad £460.

When Mullin was traced by police, Mr Shaw said, he had replied: “I took them. I'm sorry. It was stupid.”

The court heard Mullin had bought the victim of the theft a new phone to replace the stolen one which had been sold by the shop.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Mullin's solicitor, Scott Adair: “Road to Damascus conversions don't come along all that often, but let's hope this is one.”

Turning to address Mullin directly, Sheriff Hendry said: “I hope what I am about to say is something you've already said to yourself when you look in the mirror, but it doesn't get much lower than stealing a tablet and a phone from a 73-year-old lady when you're a guest in her house.”

Mullin, of Lynn Walk, Balloch, was ordered to carry out one hundred hours of unpaid work within six months.

But he was warned by the sheriff: “If you don't turn up or don't do the work properly, you will appear before me again.

“I will remember you. I will remember the offence. And I'll give you something more serious than one hundred hours of unpaid work.”