Glasgow man jailed for city centre crime spree

A thief who claimed he broke in to and stole from a string of restaurants to pay for a family funeral has been jailed for 18 months.

Douglas McLean carried out the crime spree over almost two years at popular restaurants and bars in Glasgow City Centre, pocketing more than £11,000 in total.

He was eventually caught in February last year after he was recognised on CCTV.

The 59-year-old claimed in court that the crimes in 2016 were to pay for a family funeral.

McLean, from Priesthill, Glasgow pled guilty yesterday (Tues) to breaking in to The Box, a music venue on Sauchiehall Street in December 2014 and stealing £9,795.

He admitted opening a safe at Mexican tapas restaurant Topolabamba on St Vincent Street in January 2015 and stealing £1,381 of money and vouchers.

In October 2016 he broke in to Byron Burger at West George Street with the intention to steal before later the same morning stealing £280 from Bread Meets Bread on St Vincent Street.

His crime spree ended on October 31, 2016 at Indian restaurant Chakoo on St Vincent Street when he broke in with the intention of stealing.

Sheriff Daniel Scullion jailed McLean for 18 months reduced from 21months because he pled guilty.

On each occasion McLean was caught on CCTV cameras.

At the premises of Bread Meets Bread he was captured walking in after the door had been left unlocked during a delivery.

Procurator fiscal depute Mark Allan said: “The staff had failed to lock the main door to St Vincent Street behind them.

“The accused was able to enter the premises and steal £280, some from the till and some for the tip box by the till”.

Mr Allan added that police eventually identified McLean from CCTV footage and on February 1, last year he was detained by police.

He said “the quality of CCTV improved as the later incidents arose”.

Defence lawyer Vincent Cobb said in 2014 in to 2015 McLean’s son found himself in “quite significant financial difficulties” and it was felt his “life was in danger”.

It was heard McLean cares for various family members including his wife and is not in a position to work.

Mr Cobb added that after a family bereavement in 2016 McLean carried out further crimes to pay for the funeral