A heartless thief who broke into an Airdrie church and stole a number of items valued at “thousands of pounds” – including a wheelchair – will have to wait to learn his fate.
Steven Kennedy, 42, of Mavisbank Street in Whinhall, committed the callous crime at Airdrie High Church in February.
Prosecutor Liz Ross told Airdrie Sheriff Court last week how petty criminal Kennedy – who was jailed in 2016 for breaking into a supermarket – has a catalogue of previous convictions, mostly for theft.
The court heard that he stole a host of items from the North Bridge Street church.
As well as making off with a wheelchair – which he used to transport the other stolen items – Kennedy also nicked two laptops, two TVs, a hi-fi system, a camera, a phone, a bag, a quantity of batteries and a vacuum cleaner.
Police later recovered the items and a spokesperson for the church revealed Kennedy used the stolen wheelchair “like a trolley” by placing the other goods into it and wheeling them away.
Defence lawyer Paul Belardo confirmed that Kennedy, who sat shamelessly in the dock, was pleading guilty to the thefts.
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Mr Belardo added: “He is due back in court on December 6 for a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) review.
“He is doing well and I would invite the court to defer sentence on this new case and call for reports. He is also currently subject to a curfew.”
Sheriff Frank Pieri deferred sentence until December 11 and called for a full social background report, including a tagging order report and a DTTO progress report.
Kennedy was bailed in the meantime.
