A bungling thief left plenty of clues for police after he broke into a top Perth restaurant, run by a former Scottish Chef of the Year.
Twenty-four-year-old Daniel Sweeney left a footprint on the window sill, under an open window, and there were fingerprints on the freshly-varnished bar area at No.63 Tay Street, just yards from Perth Sheriff Court.
In addition, fingerprints were also found on the outside of a window pane.
Perthshire area struck by ninth earthquake in just over a month
Sweeney, previously of Culliven Court and now High Street, Perth, was traced by police and his shoes were seized.
Depute fiscal Kristina Kelly told the court: “They were a good match for the prints at the locus. He was interviewed and made a full and frank confession.”
Sweeney will be sentenced on November 18 after background reports have been prepared.
Heroes of Perth and Kinross react to Queen's birthday honours list recognition
He admitted breaking into the restaurant on June 23, 2020, and stealing a bottle of wine and two bottles of beer.
The court was told that the restaurant has four windows which look out onto Tay Street.
About 3.40am, a witness was at her window and saw the accused near Perth Railway Bridge before he went out of sight.
Experienced anglers left stunned after 20lb salmon leaps right into their boat
A short time later she heard an alarm and observed the accused running past her window, carrying what appeared to be three bottles.
Police were contacted and they discovered a kitchen window had been wedged open and the alarm was sounding.
A partially consumed bottle of wine, discovered under a nearby bridge, was identified as coming from the restaurant.
Calling for reports, Sheriff James Macdonald commented: “This is a far from trivial offence. Clearly it’s a matter of some concern.”
