Drunken Dingwall bike theft followed 13-year trouble-free streak, court told
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A former heroin addict who stole a push bike from a car in Dingwall had stayed out of trouble for 13 years.
But 44-year-old Richard Newlands of MacIntyre Place, got drunk on May 25 this year and entered an unlocked car parked in Seaforth Gardens.
However he was quickly reported to police and the bicycle was returned to its owner, Inverness Sheriff Court heard on Friday.
His solicitor, Laura-Jane McFarlane told the court her client had no recollection of what happened.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald deferred sentence until January 7 next year for good behaviour.
She told Newlands: "You have managed to stay out of trouble for 13 years, you should be able to for another six months providing you don't get drunk."