Midlothian man jailed following house-breaking in Stow
A Midlothian man who stole cash and jewellery during a break-in at a house in the Scottish Borders has today (Monday) been jailed for eight months.
Gordon Williamson, from Dalkeith, was caught after being captured on CCTV attempting to break-in to a second home in Stow on December the 5th, 2022.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard the 59-year-old, who previously admitted the offences - while acting with others - has a "horrendous record of previous convictions... going back decades."
Williamson was spotted by one of his victim's in the porch of her home in Galashiels Road shortly before midday.
When she asked what he was doing, he said he was looking at a car.
But India McLean, prosecuting, said CCTV showed he had attempted to gain entry, and was seen "rifling through a drawer".
Police found a glass panel in another property in the same street had also been smashed, and "items strewn around the rooms".
And a number of missing items - including jewellery and watches - were found in Williamson's possession.
Williamson's solicitor said his client has a history of alcohol abuse and will be "lucky to see the end of the year if he doesn't stop drinking".
Sheriff Kevin McCarron noted Williamson had stayed out of trouble since the offence but said a custodial sentence was "inevitable".
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