A SNEAKY thief has been ordered to pay compensation to his victim.

Thomas Boyle admitted stealing a food processor, bed linen and soap powder from an insecure motor outside Costco in Springburn on June 24 this year.

The fiscal depute told Glasgow Sheriff Court that it was around 3.50pm when the victim parked their car and went shopping. The vehicle’s auto-lock system failed in this instance and when the owner returned at about 5pm they found the items, worth £100, were removed from within the motor.

The complainer spoke to store staff, to which Boyle was recorded on CCTV taking the goods. The police were contacted and the accused, of Lochdochart Road, Easterhouse, was later arrested. Defending, Mr Watson claimed that his 64-year-old client regretted the “act of stupidity”.

Boyle, who previously had issues with alcohol and drugs misuse, was said to have stayed out of trouble for the past few years.

It was stated that the accused had been struggling financially, however it was noted that he works full-time and only has 15 more mortgage payments to go on his property and is in line to pocket £10,000 from the sale of his dead father’s house.

Mr Watson claimed that Boyle was no longer drinking, adding: “His goal is to remain in the community.” Sheriff Frances McCartney sentenced Boyle to a Community Payback Order with 12 months of supervision, 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed within five months, and a conduct requirement to attend alcohol counselling as directed as a direct alternative to custody. The accused will also have to pay £100 compensation to his victim.