Alness flat robbed in dispute over loan to friend
Lending a friend money who then refused to pay it back resulted in a man stealing an X box and speakers from the man's unlocked flat in Alness.
Anthony Downey was called alongside co-accused, 30 year old father of four Alexander Burke, of Burgage Drive, Tain.
They both previously admitted the September 13, 2022 theft at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Burke also pleaded guilty to driving carelessly by driving over the victim's foot in the pair’s getaway car.
Willie Young, defence solicitor for Downey (37), of Langlands Road, Glasow, told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank that there had been a full recovery of the stolen goods.
He added: "He lent money to a friend but it became acrimonious when he didn't repay it."
Burke appeared by video link as he had been remanded in custody after admitting dangerous driving in the Inverness and Easter Ross area on July 5, 2023.
When police eventually caught up with him in Evanton, following a high speed chase, they found a meat cleaver in the vehicle. He admitted possessing the weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse.
The court heard at an earlier hearing that Burke was driving a car coming out of Asda in Tain when he was spotted by an off-duty police officer who was aware there were warrants out for his arrest.
A check revealed his driving licence had been revoked.
At around 11.30pm police were notified that the vehicle Burke was driving had crossed the Kessock Bridge and traced it to Alness.
A chase ensued with Burke getting up to speeds of 90mph, bouncing into the air as he hit a speed bump in a built-up area. Police lost sight of him but he was eventually spotted walking in Evanton at 12.10am on July 6, 2023, officers recognising him as the driver they had been seeking.
It was found that he had a meat cleaver in the vehicle.
Burke's lawyer, David Patterson, told Sheriff Cruickshank: "He ran his own landscaping business in Fife but there were family health problems and he moved to Tain.
"Then the pandemic hit and he went from working daily to relying on state benefits. Consuming alcohol and substances didn't help and these offences were as a consequence of his instability.
"He has ceased all use of alcohol and substances."
Sheriff Cruickshank asked Mr Patterson if his client had an explanation for having the meat cleaver in his car. Mr Patterson replied that he had been given no explanation.
Downey was placed under one year's social work supervision and ordered to carry out 135 hours of unpaid community work.
The sheriff then told Burke: "I note your limited involvement in the theft but the real criminality came with the dangerous driving which was carried out with the intention of evading police officers who were pursuing you."
Burke was jailed for 18 months, backdated to May 6 when he was remanded in custody. He was also banned from driving for 31 months and must resit the test of competency before getting behind the wheel again.
