Inverness drug-fuelled crime spree ends with jail sentence
Motorists and householders fell victim to a drug-fuelled crime spree by a 38-year-old Inverness man who has now been jailed for two years.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that William Gillespie, designated as a prisoner in Barlinnie where he had been held on remand pending sentence, stole perfume, climbing gear, alcohol, clothing, an antique clock and electronic equipment worth thousands of pounds.
• Sign up for our free newsletters
The offences were committed between April and September 2024 in various locations in the city, including Union Street, Lochalsh Road, Balnain Street, Inverlochy Crescent and Telford Avenue and involved sheds, garages and cars.
Gillespie admitted a total of 12 charges including theft, theft from a
motor vehicle, attempting to open locked premises with intent to
steal, attempted theft and breaches of bail.
Fiscal depute Emily Hood told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald that one vehicle which had its window broken and boot forced open had around £1200 worth of damage caused.
Defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif said: "He has no clear recollection of these events. He fell into the company of others and took drugs. He apologises."
Imposing a 24 months jail sentence backdated to September 20 last year when Gillespie was remanded, Sheriff Macdonald told him: "Your behaviour individually is not the most serious. But in cumulo they become a scourge.
"You cause chaos for the people you steal from in their lives and you keep doing it."
