Teenager jailed for spate of thefts

Mar 4 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A SHERIFF jailed a teenager whose behaviour he described as having “spiralled out of control”.

Josh Fealy stole around £4500 worth of satellite navigation equipment and satellite television boxes from cars over a 19 month period.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard that in August 2008 he smashed the window of a van parked on West Main Street in Armadale and stole two mobile phones worth £400 and the following month Fealy went on a crime wave in Armadale stealing three satellite navigation systems and two handbags from four cars in the town.

The court heard that in September 2009 he targeted an unlocked van in Gillespie Place, Armadale and managed to make off with £2500 worth of Sky satellite boxes from it before being caught by police officers.

The 19-year-old also caused a breach of the peace in St John’s Hospital in December last year. Fealy was unconscious when he was taken to the accident and emergency department at the Livingston hospital but when he came round he started shouting and swearing at staff.

Fiscal depute Claire Martin added: “He got out of bed and wandered into the waiting area where other patients were waiting for treatment. He was asked to get back into his cubicle as there was blood dripping down his arm. At this point he threw a blood soaked piece of cotton wool at the nurse which hit her on the head.”

Fealy’s final crime came in February this year when he stole a digital camera, mobile phone and wallet from a car on Butteries View, Armadale.

Last week at the court Fealy admitted the thefts and the breach of the peace offence.

His solicitor, Alan Jackson, told the court his client had difficulties with alcohol and valium abuse.

“His life is chaotic and expresses his shame at his own behaviour,” Mr Jackson added.

“ He does not have much recollection of this incident at the hospital but he is embarrassed by his behaviour and knows nurses have a difficult enough job to do without that of thing.”

Jailing Fealy for 12 months Sheriff Douglas Kinloch said: “Your behaviour has more or less spiralled out of control. You have been committing crimes while on bail and in my view there is no other way of dealing with these charges other than prison.”