Former Hearts youth player jailed following six month crime spree
A former football starlet has been jailed for two years after carrying out a six month crime spree to fund a major drug habit.
Ex-Scotland and Hearts youth player Andrew Shaw was locked up today (13th Jan) after a court heard how his life had spiraled out of control after leaving the army.
Shaw - who has completed a Scottish Football Association coaching course while on remand - was told by a sheriff he had started life as a "very promising" young man.
But after failing to make the breakthrough into senior football and suffering post traumatic stress as a result of military service he developed "a multitude of drug issues."
Sheriff William Wood told Shaw: "You made a very promising start to your young life. You are not alone in suffering difficulties arising from armed service.
"But not everyone goes down the path of substance misuse and a career in theft. I take into account the duration of this spree, from May to October 2015."
Shaw, 28, stole televisions, a fishing rod, satnavs, and nearly 2,000 pounds in cash and cheques as he broke into nine cars and a caravan park office.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that desperate Shaw stole from people he knew and was caught in the act several times. He left his DNA and fingerprints at several of the crime scenes.
On one occasion he stole a can of Rockstar energy drink and downed some of it before hurling the can at the owner of the car as he was being chased. He was identified by the DNA trace left on the can.
Shaw also left a trail of blood in the office at Braidhaugh Caravan Park after he injured himself ripping two televisions off the wall. He was later spotted on CCTV carrying one of the flatscreen TVs onto a bus.
After stealing items from a car in Viewlands Terrace, Perth, he was spotted walking down the street with the fishing rod he had pinched from the boot.
Shaw, from Perth, admitted a total of 11 charges relating to offences which took place in Perth and Crieff between 30 May and 11 October last year.
He admitted stealing from nine cars, breaking into the caravan park office and breaching a court curfew within three weeks of it being imposed upon him.
Among the numerous items he stole were a cheque for 1,800 pounds and a jar full of coins, along with a teacher's educational materials, mobile phones and a guitar. Shaw was on bail at the time of the offences.
Fiscal depute Sue Ruta told the court that Shaw was caught rummaging around in one car by the owner and brazenly told him: "It's your fault - it was open."
"The owner formed the opinion he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs because his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet," she said.
Solicitor David Duncan, defending, said: "Mr Shaw has indicated to me that he has previously been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder."