Police detective tells Wick court of McConechy’s break-in
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A CAITHNESS police officer recalled a break-in at a tyre and exhaust centre in Wick when he gave evidence at a jury trial in the town’s sheriff court.
Detective Constable Charles Ross was one of the officers investigating the incident at McConechy’s premises at the industrial estate on August 4, 2007.
Giving evidence today (Monday), during the fourth day of the trial, the 51-year-old officer told the jury of eight men and seven women entry had been gained by removing a window.
Inside the office, property was missing, ceramic tiles were damaged and a heavy metal object appeared to have been used on a floor safe.
DC Ross said swabs were taken from the door handles and filing cabinets as well as a large industrial wheelie bin. Part of a footprint was also found on a pad on a desk near where the window was removed.
The officer said he also helped investigate a break-in at the post office in Dunbeath on August 2, 2007. He was not at the premises but dealt with some sections of beading that had been taken from a window.
On Tuesday, October 2, 2007, he attended Lochinver post office following a break-in and carried out various enquiries along with other officers.
John Hind (54), from Colne in Lancashire, and Matthew Peters (40), from Bournemouth, deny stealing £34,497.60 in cash and £10,508.97 in stock, as well as five safes, from a number of break-ins at post offices and commercial premises in the North from July 27 to October 12, 2007.
They face 18 charges and have pleaded not guilty to all of them.
A total of 118 witnesses from throughout the UK have been cited for the trial which could become one of the longest ever conducted at Wick Sheriff Court.
Proceedings before Sheriff Andrew Berry are expected to last between four and six weeks.
*For a full report see Wednesday’s Caithness Courier.
