Sweet tooth thief is jailed

Jul 22 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A THIEF with a sweet tooth stole nearly £150 worth of chocolate from a Livingston filling station.

Blair Galt walked into the BP service station in Livingston with another man and proceeded to empty the shelves of chocolate bars and other sweets into a carrier bag before running off.

The 20-year-old was later caught by police but there was no recovery of the goods worth £145.

Livingston Sheriff Court also heard that Galt broke into a house in Blackburn while the owner was out and stole a TV worth £300.

Blood samples were found in the home and a DNA test proved positive for Galt. Last week at the court Galt, whose address was given as Elizabeth Drive, Bathgate, pled guilty to the offences.

He also admitted failing to appear for a court appearance on May 25.

His solicitor, Ian Smith, told the court asked the court to put his client on a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO).

“His last house breaking offence was in 2007, which is a gap of some three years,” Mr Smith said.

“He also stole a bunch of sweeties from a garage and failed in his incompetence to turn up to court.

“These are serious matters and should be treated as such but there are others who are on DTTOs have records far worse than his and whose offences are of a higher calibre than his.

“A DTTO requires a substantial commitment on his part. He is still very young and has had a problem with heroin, never mind other drugs, since he was 15.

“In some ways, a small custodial sentence will stop Mr Galt from breaking in houses for a short time but maybe the community will be better served if he is put on a DTTO and is given the chance to get off drugs and turn his life around.”

However, Sheriff Donald Muirhead said he had no option but to jail Galt.

Sentencing Galt to 10 months detention, Sheriff Muirhead said: “Your offences include not just shoplifting but also house breaking, which is a particularly unpleasant form of theft which you have a number of previous convictions for.

“I have to balance the risk for the community. All you have in favour of a DTTO is the fact you have said you now wish to give up heroin. In the past, you said you would not comply with non-custodial disposals.

“On balance, it is my view that there is no alternative but custody in these circumstances.”