Would-be Easter Ross shoplifter jailed for 11 weeks at Inverness Sheriff Court after giving police false name
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A 43 year old Easter Ross man who gave police a false name as he was being questioned about suspected shoplifting in Tain has been jailed for 11 weeks.
Andrew Sanders, of Milnafua in Alness, appeared for sentence from custody via a video link at Inverness Sheriff Court after a background report had been prepared.
He had previously admitted removing security tags from items and attempting to steal them from Asda superstore in Tain on November 22, 2019. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice by giving police fake details.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald that staff at the store alerted police to Sanders about his behaviour and he was traced to a nearby bus shelter.
"He was evasive with police officers and gave a false named and date of birth. He was allowed to catch his bus. CCTV footage was then reviewed and he could be seen attempting to remove security tags from CDs."
Mrs Eastwood said very little police time was wasted as his true identity was discovered early the next day.
Defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif said: "He has had a difficulty with alcohol for much of his adult life."
He then asked the Sheriff to take into account that his client, who admitted a long list of previous convictions, had spent the equivalent of a 104 day sentence on remand.
Sheriff Macdonald backdated the sentence to February 14, meaning he will be released imminently.
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