Car thief held after plea for bail is refused

Ian Gallacher stole from several vehicles. Picture posed by model

When he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court from custody last Thursday to be sentenced for a series of thefts from vehicles, the 28-year-old was told the paperwork will have to be done first.

Gallacher targeted three unlocked motors during a three-day crime spree.

On April 17, he stole a purse from one in Langton Road, Westquarter; on April 18 he took a disabled parking badge from another in Kennard Street, Falkirk; and on April 20 a sat nav system and driving licence from a third in Kersehill Circle, Falkirk.

Gallacher, from 12 Balquhatstone Crescent, Slamannan, appeared at Falkirk the day after having sentence deferred on him at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for other offences.

Defence lawyer Simon Hutchison said Gallacher had been released on bail at Dunfermline and was hopeful that when he returned to be sentenced next month he would receive a community-based disposal, including professional help for his drug problem.

Mr Hutchison urged that Gallacher also be released on bail while the reports called for by Falkirk Sheriff Court are being prepared.

He added: “He had avoided offending for a year and a half, which for someone with a drug problem is amazing.”

However, Sheriff Craig Caldwell made it clear he was not impressed.

He told Gallacher: “Given your record of criminal activity in April is very significant in my view a community based disposal is optimistic, however that is to be decided by Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

“You are not a candidate for liberty in my view and will be remanded in custody for the completion of these reports.”

Gallacher will be back at Falkirk for sentence on July 14.

At the same court William Beattie (34), 121 Wall Street, Camelon, was placed on a 12-month supervised community order and told to complete 120 hours’ unpaid work in four months for attempting to obtain £45 by fraud.

At an earlier court Beattie had admitted taking a printer off a shelf in the Wilko store in Falkirk and trying to con staff into believing he had bought it and issue him with a refund.