Shoplifter to find out fate in new year

COURT REPORTER

A Coatbridge man who went on a shoplifting spree faces further assessment before d i s cove r i n g h i s punishment.

Mark Rankin, 41, of Espieside Crescent in Townhead, began his crime wave on March 14 when he stole a quantity of meat from Poundland on his home town’s Main Street.

Prosecutor Roslyn O’Hara then told Airdrie Sheriff Court how Rankin stole a quantity of motor car air fresheners from the same shop on April 14.

His next theft took place at Next in Faraday retail park, Coatbridge, on September 14, when he stole a quantity of fragrances and toiletries.

On October 16, he was back at the retail park to steal a quantity of perfume from TK Maxx.

And two days later he stole a quantity of razor blades from Superdrug on Coatbridge Main Street.

Rankin also breached six bail orders.

In a separate incident, Rankin behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm at ITouch Mobile and PC store on Coatbridge Main Street on March 14.

He refused to leave the store and was repeatedly shouting and swearing.

He also made threats of violence to an employee and challenged the man to a fight.

Sheriff Fergus Thomson deferred sentence until January 29 for a drug testing and treatment order assessment to be carried out on Rankin.

He was released on bail, but has a curfew which means he must remain at home each day from 7pm until 7am.