Laughing thief robbed Godfather

Published 17 Feb 2010 09:00

A CRUEL thief stole hundreds of pounds in cash and a pocket watch from his godfather after sneaking into his home in the middle of the night.

Police were called to the house in Bellsmyre, at around 10.30pm after one of the householders, a 44-year-old woman, was woken-up during John Harkin's raid.

The 17-year-old, who was high on drugs at the time of the offence, let himself into the unlocked house, peered into the woman's bedroom and laughed at her, before making off with the loot.

Scott Simpson, fiscal depute, told Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Thursday: "She initially assumed it was her father [she could hear moving about], but she then saw a [man] peer round the bedroom door, laugh and then run out of the house through the unlocked rear door.

"She shouted for her father and the police were contacted."

The police arrived and took details of the suspect.

The following morning, at 1.50am, different police officers saw the accused, and given the earlier information, decided to stop him and investigate.

They recovered £670 from Harkins, who is a first offender, and whilst interviewing him he admitted entering the house and admitted the theft of the watch and money.

Although Harkins had already got rid of the watch he told officers where they could find it - so it was recovered along with a computer game which had also been stolen.

When the police asked Harkins to clarify who lived at the property he had stolen from he [told them a name] and when asked if it was any relation Harkin said: "Well sort of, it's my godfather."

Roddy Boag, defending, said: "The accused's mother and the complainer still remain very close to each other and remain in regular contact. The accused knows he has let down his family and the complainer.

"He's a very close family friend this man, which is why he is the godfather. The accused's explanation relates to the consumption of substances he should not have been consuming.

"The best thing in this sad tale is that the accused helped the police almost immediately with the recovery of the watch and that is to his credit.

"He is remorseful and I think your Lordship could deal with this in a way that would deal with his dangerous situation with drugs."

Harkin pled guilty to stealing £670 cash, a pocket watch and a puzzle master game from a house on Barwood Hill after entering the property uninvited on November 24 last year.

Sentencing Harkin, of flat 7, Glenside Road, Bellsmyre to 120 hours community service, one year's probation and drug counselling, Sheriff Simon Fraser said:

"You are appearing as a first offender and while in this court theft from other peoples houses normally attracts a prison sentence, and if you do it again you will almost certainly find yourself in prison."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 16 Feb 10

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