A CROSSHILL man, traced by police through blood spills, used a step-ladder to reach a window to break into a house, a Court heard.

Jamie-Lee McLaren, of Inchgall Avenue, was given a restriction of liberty order for six months to remain in his home address between the hours of 7pm and 7am for the offence which took place at a Lochore home on 19th or 20th June 2013.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court, last Wednesday, Depute Fiscal, Dev Kapadia said, “The householder left the house about 3.30pm to collect her daughter from school.

“She spent the evening at her stepfather’s address and was aware that she had left some windows ajar at the house.

“A neighbour, at 11.55pm, heard a door being tried and looked out of the window and wasn’t able to see. The following morning they saw a step ladder leading to an upstairs window.

“The complainer went to the house about 9.30am the next day and there was blood on the bannister leading upstairs, the loft hatch was ajar and drawers were open.

“Blood samples were taken which identified the accused as having been at the locus.” McLaren’s agent Ian Beatson, said, “My client had consumed alcohol and drugs and has no recollection of the offence.

“He was trying to finance his habit and realises that he shouldn’t have committed this offence.” Sheriff Celia Sanderson said, “This was a nasty little offence and no doubt frightening for the house holder.”