Bulgarian man banned from Scotland was caught in Newtonmore
A Bulgarian man living in Sheffield was caught shoplifting in Moray and three months later in Newtonmore when he had been banned by a bail condition not to be in Scotland except for his court appearance.
Ivan Iliev, a 52 year old from Sturton Road, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court earlier today and admitted the theft of two fleeces valued at £37.95 each from Threaplands Garden Centre in Lhanbryde on March 13, 2024 as well as the June 17, 2024 breach of bail.
Two other Bulgarian men had their not guilty pleas to similar thefts accepted by fiscal depute Adelle Gray.
Defence solicitor Patrick O'Dea said: "He is very sorry. It was a mistake to take the goods.
“As far as the breach of bail, he was with friends driving around and didn't tell them he should not be in Scotland."
Sheriff Gary Aitken was sceptical about the explanation for being in Scotland, saying: "Just driving around? Newtonmore is a long way from the border."
He fined Iliev a total of £1,275.
