Inverness Sheriff Court: Subway sandwich shop worker caught on CCTV breaking into his workplace to steal £20 for a taxi fare

An employee of a popular takeaway broke into the shop where he worked to steal £20 for a taxi.

The "bizarre" story was related to Sheriff Robert Frazer at Inverness Sheriff Court when Fraser Macdonald (34) admitted the theft by breaking into the Subway premises in Harbour Road, Inverness.

The late night offence occurred on November 25 last year and was filmed on CCTV.

The court heard that Macdonald of Balgate Mill, Kiltarlity, had a key to the shop but entered through a fire exit.

Fiscal depute Emma McEwan said he was then seen going to the till and taking out a £20 note.

"He then went into the main area and knocked over tables and chairs before picking them up and stacking them again," she said.

"Macdonald made a phone call and left by the front door, unlocking it with his key before entering a taxi and leaving.

"Staff recovered his mobile phone the following morning."

Solicitor Clare Russell said: "It is a bizarre case. There was significantly more money in the till but only £20 was taken to pay for a taxi.

"He has no recollection of the incident. At the time he had a kind of breakdown following a relationship break-up and had taken a considerable amount of alcohol. He lost his employment as a result of this but now has a job as a gardener."

Sheriff Frazer deferred sentence until September 15 for a background report.