News / Chapman jailed for bungled break in
AN EX-drug addict who broke into Home Furnishings in Lerwick to get money to buy Christmas presents for his baby daughter was jailed at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Police traced 24 year old Adam Chapman, of 17 Undirhoull, Scalloway, after he left his mobile phone in the Commercial Road shop, from where he stole a set of three drawers and £245 in cash from the till on 22 December.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the phone went off while police were investigating the break in and they immediately worked out it belonged to Chapman, who broke in through a window with another person.
Mr Mackenzie said: “It was a calculated break in, but it certainly wasn’t very sophisticated. There was CCTV inside the premises and they were captured on the premises by it.
“He left his mobile phone there. His phone rang when the police were there and a name was displayed on the phone, which quickly allowed the police to discern who the phone belonged to.”
Chapman was arrested again on 27 December when he reacted badly to the police detaining him in connection with other enquiries they were making.
On Wednesday he pled guilty to both the break in and to threatening or abusive behaviour in a police car and at Lerwick police station, where he shouted, swore, struggled with and threatened police officers and repeatedly blocked the toilet in his police cell.
Defence agent Tommy Allan admitted Chapman had a “terrible” criminal record, but said that he was now only an occasional drug user and had been out of trouble for some time prior to these offences. He had found a job last year, but since then the company had gone under.
Mr Allan added that Chapman’s life had changed when he recently became a father, though his relationship with the child’s mother had not survived. His lack of contact with his daughter had led to him starting to drink too much, he added.
While in the past he had broken into premises to get money for drugs, Mr Allan said: “His motivation this time was to get something for Christmas for his daughter. It may not be ideal, but there is a change in motivation.”
Attempting to avoid a prison sentence, he told the court that Chapman had been accepted onto a scheme to help him back into work.
However Sheriff Graeme Napier did not hesitate to jail him for six months for the shop breaking and a further two months for the breach of the peace. The sentence has been back dated until 28 December.
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