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'Despicable' break-in hit vulnerable Easter Ross resident and Invergordon vet practice, court told as man jailed for offences


By Ali Morrison

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Sheriff Margaret Neilson: ''It is particularly distressing for people to have their premises broken into over the festive period. And in the middle of a pandemic when there is the risk of spreading the infection.'
Sheriff Margaret Neilson: ''It is particularly distressing for people to have their premises broken into over the festive period. And in the middle of a pandemic when there is the risk of spreading the infection.'

A sheriff jailed an Easter Ross drug addict for eight months for a "despicable" break-in to a neighbouring vulnerable adult's bungalow over the festive season.

James MacAskill stole the man's TV, hearing aid unit, a safe and other items from the property in Kilmuir Place, Invergordon between Hogmanay and New Year's Day this year.

MacAskill, who lives in the same street, knew his victim was away staying with his parents and smashed a window at the rear of the house to gain access, Inverness Sheriff Court was told this week.

Just two days before Christmas last year, the 52-year- old also broke into a vet's practice in Invergordon and stole its money box and other items.

MacAskill appeared from custody before Sheriff Margaret Neilson and admitted two charges of theft by housebreaking.

An obviously angry Sheriff Neilson said: "It is particularly distressing for people to have their premises broken into over the festive period. And in the middle of a pandemic when there is the risk of spreading the infection.

"It is despicable that he must have known the vulnerable person was away, given his address (in the same street)."

Defence solicitor Neil Wilson told the Sheriff he was not trying to minimise what his client had done. "Given his record, he knows what to expect. At least he has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and saved the expense of having DNA examined."

Fiscal depute Fiona Murray said that blood had been left on broken glass at the Kilmuir Place property and police got a swab for analysis.

She added: "Police got information from a witness who told them about MacAskill trying to sell the TV and items. When they went to his address, he claimed the TV had been bought by him."

Mrs Murray said that MacAskill had used a rock to break a window in the Easter Ross Vet's practice in High Street, Invergordon on December 23.

MacAskill's sentence was backdated to January 5 when he was remanded in custody after an initial private court appearance.


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