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Theft from Dingwall store included in shoplifting spree by man stealing to fund gambling debt, sheriff court is told


By Ali Morrison

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Sheriff Gary Aitken issued the warning but stopped short of a custodial sentence.
Sheriff Gary Aitken issued the warning but stopped short of a custodial sentence.

A MAN who funded his gambling debt by stealing thousands of pounds worth of goods and selling them at a fraction of their value was told in a Highland court today: "You are very close to prison".

Inverness Sheriff Court heard how Somuel Dumitru (25) of Ellesmere Road, Newcastle went on a shoplifting spree in the Highlands and north-east.

The Romanian national stole high value goods but sold them cheap.

Dumitru appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted five thefts from stores in Dingwall, Inverurie, Elgin, Inverness and Dundee between November 18 and 19, 2019.

Fiscal depute David Morton said: "Most were branded Apple products – two of the four watches were worth a total of £1,000 and one of the two mobile phones also £1000."

"There was no recovery," Mr Morton added.

Defence solicitor Stephen Carty said: "He had a gambling addiction and owed a considerable amount of money.

"The goods were sold for about 10 percent of their actual value."

Sentence had been deferred for a background report which recommended a community payback order.

Sheriff Gary Aitken told Dumitru: "You are very close to prison today."

As an alternative, he placed Dumitru under two year's social work supervision, and ordered him to carry out 210 hours of unpaid community work.


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