Community service could be a 'bad influence' on teen thieves

Published on Tuesday 9 June 2009 21:32

TWO teenagers who broke into ex-Celtic ace Tosh McKinlay's house have been spared community service after a sheriff said it could prove to be a "bad influence" on them.

Callum Haddow and Thomas Strachan, both 18, forced their way into the footballer's 500,000 home and stole personal possessions.

Haddow, Strachan and a third youth, David Hillan, 17, denied stealing Mr McKinlay's Scottish Cup winner's medal, but at an earlier hearing admitted being involved in a robbery that saw alcohol, bags, and computer consoles taken.

Yesterday Sheriff Ray Small told Haddow and Strachan to pay Mr McKinlay 400 in compensation. But he said he would not order community service as it could be a bad influence on them. He deferred sentence on Hillan for background checks.

The gang forced their way into the McKinlays's villa in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, in April last year after discovering the 43-year-old and his wife Yvonne, 41, were not at home.

Haddow turned up at McKinlay's home four months later and confessed to his involvement in the incident and all three were later arrested.

The total value of the robbery had been placed at 20,000 after the McKinlays had reported four watches, a DVD player, jewellery, make-up, clothing, three iPods, shoes, cameras, and Mr McKinlay's Scottish Cup winner's medal as stolen.

None of the items had been recovered and earlier claims from all three to only stealing alcohol were accepted by prosecutors.

Strachan admitted also stealing bags and computer games.

Yesterday, Strachan was ordered to pay 300 to the McKinlays and serve a three-month tagging order.

Sheriff Small fined Haddow 200 and told him to pay 100 in compensation.

He added: "You are both from good backgrounds and I feel community service in this instance would not be appropriate as others could be a bad influence."