Thief stole shower for own house

Brian Hossack • Published 13 Aug 2010 13:55

A THIEF who stole a shower from a flat’s bathroom told police he fancied it for his own home.

Henry Watt, 30, and Patrick McEleny, 34, were caught by officers climbing out of the window of the home in Greenock’s Merlin Lane with the shower, valued at £1,000.

After being nabbed red-handed, Watt told officers he had taken it because he wanted to fit it at his house in Finch Road.

Co-accused McEleny claimed he was taking it to a scrapyard for some extra cash.

Both men were fined £900 by Sheriff Vincent Canavan after they admitted the theft at Greenock Sheriff Court this week.

Depute fiscal Tom Smyth said the property, which belongs to Riverclyde Homes, was lying empty when the thieves struck.

He said: “They entered through the window of the ground floor flat at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon and began to dismantle the shower from the wall.

“A neighbour saw this taking place and alerted police who arrived as the accused were jumping back out through the window. They were apprehended after a short chase.”

Watt’s defence solicitor Fiona Gordon said her client had been aware the property was empty.

She added: “The window was smashed and he sadly didn’t resist the temptation to go inside.

“It was an opportunist theft. The house belongs to Riverclyde Homes and had been stripped to bare walls and floorboards after it was earmarked for demolition as part of an overall regeneration of the area.”

Ellen Macdonald, representing McEleny, also of Finch Road, said her client had struggled with drug problems.

She added: “This was behind his previous offending, but he now has this under control.”

Fining both men, Sheriff Vincent Canavan said: “You both took part in this joint venture and will be dealt with in the same manner.”

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 13 Aug 10

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