Habitual housebreaker who tried to hide in a bush to escape police after breaking into Southside dental practice gets a two-year drug treatment and testing order imposed after appearing at Inverness Sheriff Court

A habitual housebreaker’s lawyer successfully persuaded a sheriff to impose a drug treatment and testing order in an effort to break his cycle of offending.

On a previous occasion, solicitor advocate Shahid Latif told Inverness Sheriff Court that Allan Smith (41) had been examined by a psychiatrist who also suggested the same treatment, after diagnosing a complex deep-seated post traumatic stress disorder.

Smith, who previously lived in Hilton, admitted breaking into an Inverness dental practice before trying to hide in a bush partly covered in leaves, to escape police detection.

But the court heard that Smith was quickly discovered after the Southside dental practice’s alarm activated in the early hours of October 16, 2020 and brought police rushing to the scene.

Fiscal depute Robert Weir had earlier told the court: “Various officers including a dog handler attended and they observed a BMX bike leaning against a wall of the practice.

“A window had also been smashed at the rear and a hammer was sitting on the ledge underneath. The police dog indicated towards a bush and officers found the accused there lying underneath it.”

After being placed in a cell, Smith coughed and spat in the direction of officers.

Mr Latif said: “There was no contact between him or the police officers as they were leaving the cell as the act was committed. The cell video puts the incident in context. He had just been stripped naked by the officers and given only a blanket.

“He is extremely regretful and the incidents happened after the passing of his wife.”

Smith pleaded guilty to theft by housebreaking and culpable and reckless conduct.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson twice deferred sentence for drug treatment assessments and, after the second one indicated Smith’s suitability, she imposed a two-year order.

It involves strict monitoring and testing during that period.