Inverness Sheriff Court told locked out man climbed wall to his fourth floor flat
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
A CONVICTED housebreaker scaled the walls of a four-storey building in darkness to break in through a window.
But Peter MacAllister (42) was not returning to his old ways of stealing from vulnerable properties.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that he had lost his card key access to his temporary accommodation in Union Street, Inverness and decided to climb up to his room last Thursday night.
The court heard he smashed his way in but police were called and he was arrested.
MacAllister appeared from custody and admitted a charge of vandalism.
Sheriff Sara Matheson commented on hearing of MacAllister’s exploits: “It sounds like he is lucky to be alive.”
Defence solicitor Willie Young agreed, adding: “He is very fortunate nothing more serious happened to him.
“He went shopping and returned his shopping to his room before going out to meet a friend.
“He realised when he got back that he had lost his access key, he had no phone and could not raise the night warden. So he decided to climb up.”
Mr Young said his client, who admitted a long list of previous convictions, was on a drug treatment and testing order.
“Progress is being made and he is due for a review on December 17,” Mr Young said.
Sheriff Matheson decided to defer sentence until then but warned MacAllister: “This is your last chance to stay out of trouble.”