Man stole quantities of booze from an Inverness supermarket to fuel his addiction

A man stole quantities of booze from an Inverness supermarket to fuel his addiction.

Steven Burns (27), who is now attending recovery meetings, stole numerous bottles of alcohol from Morrisons, in Millburn Road, between November 2024 and March 2025.

Burns, of Church Street, Inverness, pleaded guilty to theft at Inverness Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Robert Frazer ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work with 18 months of supervision.

MORE COURT:

- Inverness father told police officers that he ‘would get them’ when they were off duty

- Preston joiner thrown out of Nairn nightspot after derogatory slur to woman

- Teenager struck man with traffic cone on Nairn High Street and assaulted another a few days later

“You are a habitual shoplifter,” he said. “It is getting close to a custodial matter.”

Burns’ defence solicitor, Michael Chapman said: “The alcohol was to feed Mr Burns’ alcohol addiction, which he has suffered from since he was 13 years of age.

“He has abstained from alcohol for a month now and has engaged with AA.”