Inverness workers hit by Spanish tourist’s drunken crime spree of stealing mobile phones and a handbag
A Spanish national with a drink problem carried out "a drunken mini crime spree" over three days while visiting Inverness.
Sheriff Gary Aitken was told that 49-year-old Juan Collar was staying in a city centre guest house in Union Street when he stole two mobile phones and a handbag from three other premises.
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Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Collar would distract members of staff in the Columba Hotel, Johnny Foxes and the Lucky Bowl restaurant on December 11 and 13 before stealing the items.
However, CCTV captured his illegal activities which led to his arrest with Sheriff Aitken describing them as "quite professional".
Fiscal depute Adele Gray told the court that a staff member at the Columba Hotel left her handbag out of sight behind the reception desk but Collar was filmed leaning over to take it.
The bag was never recovered, Sheriff Aitken was informed.
But the two mobile phones stolen from Johnny Foxes and the restaurant were recovered. Ms Gray said Coller asked a waitress for a menu at the popular riverside bar and when she placed her phone on the counter, he made off with it.
At the Lucky Bowl, he enquired about job opportunities and when the member of staff went to get a business card, he took her phone.
Collar appeared from custody and admitted three charges of theft.
Defence solicitor advocate Mike Chapman said: "He has no idea where the bag is. He has a serious alcohol problem and has no recollection of events."
Fining Collar, who was assisted by an interpreter, a total of £840, the sheriff said: "He has a habit of distracting people to steal from them. His drunken crime spree seems quite professional."
Collar said he would pay the fine within 28 days but indicated he intended to return to Spain imminently after he said "getting the money from family".
