This may seem a soft punishment, says sheriff as teenager gets community work after Wick café break-in
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A TEENAGER has been ordered to carry out unpaid work for his part in a break-in at a Wick café.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Jamie McCarrick (31) got away with a safe containing £5000 but were traced by police who were assisted by CCTV footage of the crime.
Both pleaded guilty to breaking into Wicker's World and stealing the safe and contents. McCarrick, of Kennedy Terrace, Wick, subsequently jumped bail and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The proprietor of the café at Harbour Quay, Valerie Robertson, locked up as usual at 5.30pm on March 13, having secured the cash in the safe, Wick Sheriff Court was told today.
Fiscal David Barclay said that police officers were tasked to investigate an unrelated matter which involved them reviewing the camera footage in the harbour area.
It showed the two accused stopping outside the café around at 2am and tracked their initial unsuccessful attempt to gain entry by kicking the door.
Mr Barclay said that a further attempt was made and the pair got inside after smashing a window. Just over half an hour later they were observed leaving the premises, McCarrick carrying the safe.
The fiscal continued: "They made their way towards a flight of steps known as the Black Stairs but then disappeared from the camera's view.
About 5.30am police officers traced them there and arrested them. McCarrick was found to be in possession of £500.
The following morning, a local man who lives close to the top of the steps went outside to put out some rubbish. He noticed his side gate leading to his garage was slightly ajar and, when he went to close it, discovered the stolen safe and some of the Wicker's World chequebooks.
Mr Barclay said that the remaining £4500 from the safe has not been recovered.
Ordering the teenager to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work, Sheriff Andrew Berry conceded that the café owner would doubtless regard the penalty as "a very soft punishment" but went on: "The High Court has taken the view that young men still have a life to live and should be given a chance to turn things around."
Sheriff Berry said he had "every sympathy" for Valerie Robertson regarding what was a substantial loss but there would be no prospect of the accused repaying the money. A compensation order would be difficult to administer, would not be practical and would be a waste of time, the court heard.
The 17-year-old also pleaded guilty to two unrelated offences and was ordered to carry out an additional 75 hours of unpaid work. He will be under supervision for two years and will be subject to a drug treatment requirement for a further year.
