Addict turned to theft

Sep 21 2012 by Colin Rutherford, Kilmarnock Standard

A HOMELESS man turned to shoplifting because he was unable to get his methadone prescription.

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week, Andrew Drummond, 24, pled guilty to stealing a £20 razor set from Tesco in West Shaw Street in the town on September 16.

A lawyer for the accused said he had been staying with his brother since release from jail. She said: “His brother had to ask him to leave due to him requiring the spare room for his daughter.”

Drummond then got a room at St Andrews hostel in Kilmarnock, but had problems getting his methadone because of the change of address.

“He has had a long-standing drug problem,” said the solicitor.

She told the court: “He went along with another person to steal in order to get heroin to keep him going until he got his methadone again.”

Sheriff Joan Kerr deferred sentence until October 8.