Fife housebreaking victim traced thief down using mobile phone app

A thief was caught within hours of breaking into a house in Fife '“ after the victim tracked their stolen iPhone straight to his home using GPS software.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Sep 2016, 14:05 BST
Updated 1st Sep 2016, 15:14 BST
The victim was able to trace the thief using an application on his iPhone. Stock image: Ian Rutherford.The victim was able to trace the thief using an application on his iPhone. Stock image: Ian Rutherford.
The victim was able to trace the thief using an application on his iPhone. Stock image: Ian Rutherford.

Callum McKay broke in through the front door of a home in Claymore Path, Glenrothes, in May this year and made off with an iPhone, keys and a purse.

But when occupant Robin Gordon found the items missing at 7am he immediately activated his ‘Find my iPhone’ app.

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Fiscal depute Beverly Adam told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court: “It showed the phone on a street in Glenrothes.

“They attended that street and saw the accused moving in the direction of an address there, appearing to be inebriated.

“The app showed the phone to be there and when police arrived they found the phone and other items sitting in plain view in the house.

“The accused was extremely intoxicated.”

McKay (22) a prisoner at HMP Perth, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of theft by housebreaking committed on May 28 this year in Claymore Path, Glenrothes.

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Defence solicitor Dewar Spence said: “He has got no recollection of three full days until he woke up ina police cell on this particular case.”

Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC deferred sentence until September 20 for social work background reports and remanded him in custody meantime.

Related topics:FifeGlenrothes