Inverness court told Nairn thief targetted local shop
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Nairn man targeted his local Co-op store to steal alcohol several times over a period of months last summer.
Scott Mackay (35) of Queen Street, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court by video link from Inverness Prison and admitted four charges of theft by shoplifting and two breaches of bail conditions not to enter the store.
These occurred between June 3, 2023 and January 8 this year.
Sheriff Gary Aitken was told that on the final occasion he behaved aggressively towards staff who had asked him to leave the store and hand over a litre bottle of vodka he had picked up.
Fiscal depute Victoria Silver said Mackay raised the bottle above his head and deliberately dropped it onto the floor, smashing it.
Subscribe to receive regular email newsletters
Mackay admitted an additional charge of threatening or abusive behaviour.
He also pleaded guilty to an incident at Inverness Justice Centre on July 14, 2023 when he maliciously damaged a post box by punching it and denting it.
Mackay then assaulted a security guard by slapping him on the face after he was told to calm down and not to drink a can of beer he had pulled out of his bag, Ms Silver told the court.
Defence solicitor Laura-Jane McFarlane said: "He was going through a chaotic period in his life, but is currently serving a sentence with an earliest release date of September 13.
"While in prison he has been getting alcohol and drug intervention, has a better diet and looks much better."
Mackay was jailed for six months but the sentence is unlikely to affect his release.
