Bungling thieves hit by deadly asbestos while stealing barn

Sheriff Kenneth McGowan mocked the bungling gang yesterday and told ringleader Steven Cameron: “This was not exactly the crime of the century.

“It seems inevitable you were going to be caught, if not red-handed, then immediately afterwards. What’s more worrying is that you have found yourself in a situation where you damaged a building and it would cost £80,000 to repair.”

The sheriff also underlined the grave danger the gang had put themselves in.

“Even more significant than that is that you have undoubtedly exposed yourself to asbestos,” he said. “I understand that the contamination effect is a one-shot deal.

“All you require is one exposure in your lifetime and it can have very grave consequences for your health. That is a very great concern for you.”

Cameron was one of four men found at the scene who had to be detained and subjected to on-the-spot decontamination after disturbing the asbestos-lined roofing.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that although the farmer’s barn appeared to be disused, it would cost £80,000 to reinstate it after the beams were ripped out.

Fiscal depute Stuart Richardson dropped charges against three co-accused because Cameron had admitted he was the “brains” of the scheme and the others had simply been asked to help him.

Cameron, 27, from Blairgowrie, admitted stealing a quantity of steel beams from East Mill Farm in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, on 28 March.

Peter Whyte, 66, Christopher Whyte, 27, and Steven Whyte, 20, from Davie Park Place, Blairgowrie, all had not guilty pleas accepted to the same charge.

Mr Richardson said: “This crime was his idea and he enlisted them to come and help him. The premises is a shed situated in the grounds of a farm.

“It was quite dilapidated but was still being used by the farmer for storage. A neighbour was walking close by when he saw four men who appeared to be dismantling the steading.

“It was covered in asbestos sheeting and he became very concerned it would come over on to his field. He was suspicious and phoned the farmer.

“Police were called and the men were still at the scene. The decontamination process had to take place there.

“The figure for the damage is £80,000. That figure comes from the steading being damaged to such an extent that it would have to be rebuilt. Half of that figure comes from the cost of getting a specialist to deal with the asbestos.”

Cameron was fined £225.