Fife man admitted forcing shed open and stealing two bikes

Kyle Doran, of Willowbank Close, Thornton appeared before Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Doran, 23, admitted that on February 28, 2021 at an address in Hawthorn Terrace, Thornton he forced open a lockfast shed and stole two bicycles. He committed the offence while on bail.

The Procurator Fiscal Depute told the court: “The shed is situated in the rear garden of the address in Hawthorn Terrace, Thornton. At around 11am police received a call stating that the shed had been broken into and that two mountain bikes had been stolen from within.

"Officers became aware of the accused’s involvement and when they attended at his property they found the two stolen mountain bikes. They were recovered and returned to the proprietor. The accused was cautioned and charged.”

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Doran’s defence lawyer said his client had been drinking alcohol and claimed that someone had put amphetamine in his drink: “He was not aware of this until he drank it. There is no intention of someone deliberately trying to drug him but he did not deliberately drink the alcohol with the substance in it. He does not detract from his own responsibility in this. He is hoping to get help for his difficulties with alcohol and wants to learn coping mechanisms for dealing with his issues rather than abusing alcohol.”

His lawyer said his client had been struggling with the death of a relative and had fallen back into his old pattern of abusing alcohol. He suggested a restriction of liberty order would help to keep him indoors instead of being out during unsocial hours.

Sheriff O’Mahoney told Doran: “You are hovering very close to a custodial sentence. But I am persuaded only just to impose a direct alternative to custody which is a restriction of liberty order. This will be for 12 weeks, reduced from 18 weeks to take account of your guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. The order requires you to stay indoors from 7pm to 7am on a daily basis. But, be in no doubt, if you breach this you will go to prison.”

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