Drugs man jailed for attempted car break in

A MAN who attempted to break-into a car in Inverness whilst high on a cockatil of drink and drugs was jailed at Inverness Sheriff Court on Friday.

Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood heard Noel Sutherland was currently serving a six months prison sentence and he jailed him for a further four months when the 22 year-old admitted the offence and breaching bail conditions.

Depute Fiscal Zahra Latif described how the owner of the car parked it and locked it in St Ninian Drive, Inverness about 5.15pm on April 7 and the vehicle was secured.

About ten minutes to midnight a witness was in his bedroom when he heard a noise outside. He looked out his window to see Sutherland pick something up from the ground and striking it against the window. She said Sutherland had also used some sort of a light to look inside the car.

"He returned to the vehicle and was observed striking the window.

"The witness shouted at the accused and he fled."

Sutherland (22) of Bleachfield House, Thurso admitted on April 7 this year repeatedly striking the window of the car with an unknown instrument causing a chip and attempting to force open a lockfast car with intent to steal.

He also admitted committing the offence while on bail.

Defence solicitor John McColl said Sutherland had little recollection of the offence because he had been taking drink and valium.

"It’s clearly a breach of the bail order but he has only one conviction for dishonesty."

Sheriff Fleetwood told Sutherland: "You have an appalling record for not adhering to bail."

He said he would sentence him to three months in prison for the first offence and four months for the breach of bail, both sentences to run concurrently.

But the Sheriff added the sentence would run consecutively to his existing jail term.