Fraudster stole purse from car
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A WOMAN left her car unsecure and had her purse stolen by a sneak thief.
Appearing at Inverness Sheriff Court was 32-year-old John McPhee, of no fixed abode but who has connections to Inverness and Fort William.
Sheriff Eric Brown was told by defence solicitor advocate Mike Chapman that his client was currently on remand for two indictment matters.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told the court that on September 17, 2019, the woman parked her car on her driveway in Carnarc Crescent, Inverness and thought she had secured it.
But when a neighbour notified her the following day that her ID card was found on a nearby driveway, the woman discovered that her purse had been taken out of her car.
McPhee’s victim then discovered that a contactless transaction had been made for £14 at a nearby newsagents.
McPhee admitted theft from a vehicle and a debit card fraud.
Mr Chapman told the court: “He has no recollection of these offences, but pled guilty after I had viewed CCTV footage.
“He has difficulties with substance abuse. He was remanded in February and it will be some time before he retains his liberty.”
Sheriff Brown jailed McPhee for 16 weeks.
