An opportunistic thief who brazenly stole £29,000 worth of diamond rings from a Renfrewshire jewellery shop has narrowly avoided prison.
Jack Duff admitted he acted alongside another male when they robbed the Ernest Jones outlet at Braehead Shopping Centre in August last year.
Duff waited until the sales staff were dealing with other customers before taking the chance to pinch several diamond rings from the eternities counter.
One swipe wasn’t enough for the brazen 19-year-old who returned to the cabinet for a second time to fill his pockets with more diamond rings. However, Duff left the cabinet drawer open which caught the attention of a shop worker who raised the alarm.
Procurator fiscal depute Abbey McKenna previously told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 5.45pm on Monday, August 21 last year, the accused and another male entered the Ernest Jones store in Braehead Shopping Centre.
“The accused walked towards the Michael Kors cabinet at the rear of the store while the other male hovered around the front door area. At this time, a sales associate spoke with the accused who stated he was ‘just looking’. A short time later, she spoke with another customer.
“During this time, the other male approached the eternities cabinet, reached underneath and pulled open a drawer. He then removed several diamond rings and concealed them within his pockets before being joined by the accused who also removed several items.
“The accused and the other male then walked away from the cabinet towards the door. Duff then returned to the cabinet, removed further items and left the drawer open. The other male pushed him back to go and close over the drawer and they both then left the store.
“About 10 minutes later, [the sales associate] noted the cabinet to be ajar. She attended at the cabinet and noted an unknown quantity of stock to be missing. The manager of the store was contacted and police, thereafter, contacted.”
The court heard cops viewed the shop’s CCTV footage a few days later and identified Duff. In total, 25 rings worth £29,000 were stolen with the store boss telling the court they were never recovered.
Defence agent Ms Docherty told the court Duff cares for his daughter.
She added: “He is also employed. He was taken on in the spring on a work experience placement but since September he has been full-time with his employer as a landscaper.
“He is currently working in Bridge of Weir and has turned his life around. He is now 19 and has taken responsibility for this and pleaded at an early opportunity.
“Another positive is, although he lives with his mother who is fully supportive of him, he is back in a relationship with his partner.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Amel Elfallah stated: “This was a high value and a serious theft. However, I note it happened over a year ago and you appear to have turned things around. You have a child and you have a job. I will impose a direct alternative to custody. However, if you do this type of thing again, you won’t be as lucky.”
Sheriff Elfallah ordered Duff to wear a tag – keeping him within his Leithland Road home in Glasgow between 8pm and 7am – for six months, reduced from nine months, to reflect the timing of his early plea.
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