A SHOPLIFTER helped himself to a bottle of Buckfast then returned two hours later to steal again.

The thefts resulted in Michael Gavin appearing in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
Gavin, 21, of Ramsay Place, Rosyth, admitted that on April 12, at McColls, Allan Crescent, Dunfermline, he stole two bottles of wine.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said: “He was seen on two occasions in the shop that day. 

“At 12.30pm, he took a bottle of Buckfast and left without paying.

“At 2.30pm, he was back again and this time took a bottle of wine and left once more without paying.

“The value of the items was £13.50 and there was no recovery.”

Defence solicitor Gordon Martin said: “He can’t remember much about the incidents. He consumed the wine and that is why there was no recovery.”

“Has he got a drink problem?” asked Sheriff Alastair Brown.

“No, but like a lot of people in Scotland, he’s a binge-drinker rather than an alcoholic,” replied the solicitor.

Sheriff Brown warned Gavin he had already served time at Polmont young offenders’ institution and was heading for more trouble if he continued to offend.

He imposed a fine of £110 and told Gavin: “It’s the most expensive bottle of Buckfast you’ve ever had.”