Inverness shoplifter jailed as sheriff brands it as 'groundhog day'
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A serial shoplifter has been jailed for four months after a sheriff described his court appearance as "groundhog day".
Steven Potter, of Kessock Road, Inverness appeared by video link before Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald.
He pleaded guilty to three thefts from Inverness premises and three breaches of bail conditions not to be in shops from which he had previously stolen.
The first offence was in Home Bargains, in Rose Street, on July 28.
Fiscal depute Grant Mclennan told Inverness Sheriff Court that staff were aware of the 40-year-old and monitored him on the CCTV.
"He was seen to pick up a roll-on deodorant and a pack of four bottles of alcohol, valued at £7.50 and leave the shop without paying," he said.
"On August 29, he stole £150 of alcohol and food from the Co-op in Balloan Park, Inverness and on September 26, £60.25 worth of alcohol from Morrisons."
Defence solicitor Marc Dickson said: "These follow from his addiction to alcohol and drugs which has been since his teens.
"His difficulties re-emerged after he returned from a spell in Livingston where he led a more settled life.
"He has accepted what help he was offered in custody and he is already on a DTTO which he says he will continue on his release."
Jailing Potter, Sheriff Macdonald told him: "This is never-ending. It is groundhog day. This can't go on forever. It is ridiculous.
"When you get out, the DTTO will still be there for you to access."
