A bungling burglar left a trail of blood - and footprints - in the snow when he cut his hand after breaking into a Perth neighbour’s flat.
Forty-two-year-old Simon O’Neill, who was living in Riggs Road at the time, was quickly snared by police and appeared on indictment at Perth Sheriff Court.
Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney said a neighbour heard the sound of smashing glass about 10pm and saw the accused, who was known to her, climbing through a window at the rear of the property.
She alerted the police and told them he had just walked around the corner into Whitefriars Street.
“Officers gave chase, following a blood trail and footprints in the snow.”
O’Neill was also “known” to them and he was soon traced and arrested.
Mr Sweeney added: “He appeared to have an injury to his hand and appeared to be steadily bleeding.”
Blood splatters were also discovered in a communal close, along with a guitar and a black bag containing chocolate and a quantity of tools, lying on a step.
The rear bathroom window had also been broken and there was blood present on the glass and windowsill.
O’Neill was later taken to Perth Royal Infirmary where he was treated for a “superficial wound”.
The accused, now of Greyfriars Hostel, Princes Street, Perth, admitted breaking into the house in Riggs Road, occupied by Jacqueline Maloney, and stealing the items, which also included a pair of sunglasses and a TV remote control.
Solicitor Billy Somerville said his client had been living on his own, suffered from depression and took Valium.
“He was certainly under the influence at the time. There was blood all over the place and it was certainly his.
“The Crown didn’t have to go to the trouble of analysing it.”
The lawyer added: “He has an unenviable record.”
Sheriff William Wood described him as a “persistent thief” and said there was no alternative to a custodial sentence.
But he remanded O’Neill in custody until July 28 to obtain a background report to determine whether a supervised release order would be appropriate.
