AN architect broke into lockers at his local gym to steal bank cards before using them to buy himself food at a nearby supermarket.

Leonardo Pugin, of Park Circus Place, used bank cards that did not belong to him to buy goods at Tesco Express on Argyle Street and North Street between October and December 2016.

Pugin appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to stealing bank cards and cash.

The court heard how the accused had found two bank cards at the Nuffield Health Gym in Finnieston October 26, 2016.

Instead of returning the cards to their owner, he used them to spend £103.37 worth in Tesco during a “bizarre course of conduct”.

Two months later, on December 13, the 37-year-old was seen trying lockers at the same gym.

He forced one locker open and stole two bank cards from inside, belonging to another member.

He then took the cards to the same Tesco stores where he used them to spend £285 on food and drink.

Pugin plead guilty to the charges after he was apprehended by police in relation to thefts.

His defence agent told the court that her client was deeply ashamed of his behaviour.

She added that her client had acted in such a way to provide for his family, who had been plagued by money troubles since moving to Scotland from Italy.

Pugin, who works an architect, had found himself in Scotland with his wife and two children.

However, his wife struggled to find work and was forced to return to Italy with their kids.

The change in circumstance led to Pugin acting out and engaging in criminal behaviour.

His solicitor added that this “did not excuse his behaviour”.

Sheriff Cameron commented that due to the fact that it was a “bizarre course of conduct”, he would step away from a custodial sentence.

Instead the accused was ordered to pay a fine for £600 relating to the criminality.

He will also be required to pay back the £103.37 and £285 that he stole from his victims.