Man fined for theft

A 45-year-old Dunbeg man has been fined for stealing a pair of binoculars from a BT vehicle on Christmas Eve.

 

Derek Campbell Darrah, of 7 Kirk Road, Dunbeg, pleaded guilty to entering an insecure vehicle at the BT Telephone Exchange, Drimvargie Road, Oban, on December 24, 2020, and stealing a pair of binoculars and a quantity of clothing.

 

Procurator fiscal James Dunbar said the binoculars, jacket and body warmer had gone missing from a BT works vehicle, which was believed to have been locked, in the car park area by the exchange.

 

'The accused was identified through CCTV footage,' Mr Dunbar told Oban Sheriff Court on Wednesday February 23. 'Police attended Mr Darrah's address and recovered the binoculars from the living area. The accused was arrested, cautioned and charged.'

 

Defence agent Jane McLaren told the court: 'This case was started in February 2021. Mr Darrah had a seizure and was hospitalised for a number of months. He was only discharged in November-December. He has no power in his left arm. He is still not in a position to work and is in a wheelchair.'

 

Sheriff Patrick Hughes sentenced Darrah, who was not present in court, to pay a £160 fine, plus a £10 victim surcharge, and a £125 compensation order, totalling £295 to be paid at £40 per month.