Drug addict jailed for stealing equipment worth more than £100,000

A cocaine addict has been jailed for two years for stealing equipment worth more than £100,000 from a contracting business.

Ian Brown struck three times at the same depot over a two-week period, taking two trailers and plant machinery.

The 38-year-old dad claimed he did it to pay off a drug debt running into thousands of pounds.

Brown admitted committing the thefts at Enerveo in Newhouse between December 6 and 21 last year.

Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, told Hamilton Sheriff Court none of the stolen property was recovered.

She added: "Police carried out extensive enquiries and the accused was identified through his DNA and fingerprints. He made no response when charged."

Brown, of Wishaw, also admitted stealing fuel worth £1300 at a reservoir near Strathaven and taking a vehicle and plant equipment from a windfarm at Coalburn.

Defence lawyer Stephen MacBride said: "In the run-up to this his life had descended into chaos due to his cocaine addiction.

"He had a debt of thousands of pounds to repay and stupidly decided to commit these offences."

READ MORE: Woman attacks partner in Motherwell town centre after suspecting he was cheating on her

Sheriff Michael Higgins told Brown, who admitted previous convictions: "This was a course of conduct involving serious dishonesty that caused considerable financial loss to various parties.

"Custody is the only realistic option."

*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

READ MORE: Man suffers fractured skull and bleeding to the brain after attack on festive night out