A cocaine addict has been jailed for two years for stealing equipment worth more than £100,000 from a contracting business.
Ian Brown struck three times at the same depot over a two-week period, taking two trailers and plant machinery.
The 38-year-old dad claimed he did it to pay off a drug debt running into thousands of pounds.
Brown admitted committing the thefts at Enerveo in Newhouse between December 6 and 21 last year.
Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, told Hamilton Sheriff Court none of the stolen property was recovered.
She added: “Police carried out extensive enquiries and the accused was identified through his DNA and fingerprints. He made no response when charged.”
Brown, of Wishaw, also admitted stealing fuel worth £1300 at a reservoir near Strathaven and taking a vehicle and plant equipment from a windfarm at Coalburn.
Defence lawyer Stephen MacBride said: “In the run-up to this his life had descended into chaos due to his cocaine addiction.
“He had a debt of thousands of pounds to repay and stupidly decided to commit these offences.”
Sheriff Michael Higgins told Brown, who admitted previous convictions: “This was a course of conduct involving serious dishonesty that caused considerable financial loss to various parties.
“Custody is the only realistic option.”
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