Thornliebank man admits stealing football team's mobiles while they were playing

A thief who rummaged through a football team’s changing room and pocketed mobile phones later returned them after one was contacted by an app.

27 tear-old Ryan Richardson took handsets including an iPhone6 while St Roch’s were playing Port Glasgow last September.

Afterwards when players noticed their phones were missing, they used an app to track one down - which lead to Richardson.

He later returned the haul and confessed to the thefts.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Richardson from Thornliebank in the city, pled guilty to stealing a quantity of mobile phones on September 16 from the Royston Road football ground.

The court heard there was a football match that day between St Roch’s and Port Glasgow.

Procurator fiscal depute Gareth Reid said: “Around 4pm, two individuals who were part of the away team, Port Glasgow, were getting changed after the game and noticed their mobile phones were missing.”

It was discovered other phones were missing too.

Mr Reid said an app on another phone was used to contact one of the stolen phones.

He said: “The accused subsequently returned, a phone call having been made, and stated he had taken the phones and produced them.

“The police were called to attend and the accused was pointed out as the individual who had the phones.”

The court heard that among the stolen items were phones worth £400 and £450 although they were returned.

Sheriff Allan Findlay deferred sentence until next month for background reports