A 21-YEAR-OLD who smashed his way into seven premises in Greenock and stole thousands of pounds in a 'desperate' attempt to fund a drug addiction has been jailed for two years.

Connor Mahon committed the offences between October and December last year, stealing a total of £3,740 during the spree.

He first targeted the Inverclyde Navy Club on Mearns Street at 3:40am on October 16, helping himself to a till which had just £2.50 inside.

On October 21, Mahon broke into 134 Steakhouse on Cathcart Street where he lifted £500 from the till and a further £330 from three charity tins.

Greenock Telegraph: 134 Steakhouse on Cathcart Street134 Steakhouse on Cathcart Street (Image: Newsquest)

When police attended the restaurant, they found a brick inside the bottom of a smashed window and noted that the bar was in ‘a state of disarray’.

A short time later, Mahon broke into Greenock Workshops through a skylight and stole an Asus tablet.

He also smashed his way into Crown Care Centre on King Street through a back patio door on two occasions between October and November, stealing a total of £985.

Greenock Telegraph: Mahon smashed a back patio door at Crown Care Centre on two separate occasions last yearMahon smashed a back patio door at Crown Care Centre on two separate occasions last year (Image: Newsquest)

Between October 27 and 28, he continued the spree by stealing £1,925 from Carroll’s Furniture in George Square, as well as a mobile phone, power tools and a power tool charger.

The crimewave continued on December 10, with Mahon breaking into St Patrick’s Primary on Broomhill Street with intent to steal, followed by Abbey Veterinary Surgery on Murdieston Street where he picked up a quantity of cash.

Greenock Telegraph: Abbey Veterinary CentreAbbey Veterinary Centre (Image: Newsquest)

He previously pleaded guilty to all charges at Greenock Sheriff Court through solicitor Aidan Gallagher, with sentencing being deferred for the preparation of reports.

Mr Gallagher said: “What [the report] does reference is a young man whose been affected by drug addiction off and on since his mid-teens.

“It’s affected his relationship with family and his education.

"He’s not been able to sustain further education or employment because of relapse.

“He is embarrassed and disgusted by himself.”

Mr Gallagher also noted that Mahon ‘made good progress’ for a period last year before relapsing, and that his lifestyle became ‘chaotic’ in the months thereafter.

He told Sheriff James Spy that the break-ins were carried out as part of a 'desperate need to obtain funds towards the addiction that he was in the grip of’.

Greenock Telegraph: He stole £1,925 in cash and several items from Carroll's FurnitureHe stole £1,925 in cash and several items from Carroll's Furniture (Image: Newsquest)

Sheriff Spy told Mahon: “I take into account what I heard on the last occasion, what’s in the report, what I’ve heard from Mr Gallagher and your age.

“A custodial sentence, in my view, is necessary.”

Mahon was sentenced to 24 months in prison, reduced from 36 months for his guilty pleas.