Fake-hair thief told to pay up

Published on Monday 11 February 2008 16:47

A GARDENER who stole packets of fake hair from a hairdressing shop has been ordered to pay back almost £100.

Staff spotted James McMillan, 34, pocketing the hair extensions when he started acting suspiciously in the shop.

McMillan, from Leith, went into the Sally Hairdressing shop in St John's Road shortly after opening time on January 21 last year.

He was seen placing the artificial hair packets in his jacket pocket while workers were busy chatting to another woman in the shop.

The watchful staff saw him leave the Corstorphine beauty store and head towards a car where he threw the extensions on to the back seat.

When he was arrested by police later he said: "I don't know why I picked them up."

Today, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, McMillan pleaded guilty to theft by shoplifting.

Sheriff James Scott fined McMillan 150 and ordered him to pay 96 compensation to the shop to cover the cost of the false hair.