by Paul Behan

A DRUMCHAPEL shoplifter was warned by a sheriff that she is “perilously close” to going to jail after her latest brush with the authorities.

Linda Carmichael, 39, of Tallant Terrace, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Tuesday and admitted stealing a pressure washer, an iron, bedding and a quantity of air fresheners from Wilkos Stores, Sylvania Way, Clydebank, on May 21 this year.

Sentence was deferred from a previous hearing.

Scott Simpson, the fiscal depute, outlined the circumstances of the case and revealed that the total value of the property stolen was £247.99.

He told the court: “Her actions were observed and she was stopped.”

Carmichael’s defence solicitor told the court: “The accused is living at the address in the report. She is not working at this time but living with her 21-year-old son.

“He’s a young man with his own difficulties, learning difficulties.

“My client continues to care for him while he is an adult.

“He’s got into debt and my client has tried to repay that by these nefarious means. She has a history of similar offending.

“There have been some aims to change her ways. She has taken a grip of her drug addiction and continues to attend the addiction services that are available to her.”

The court was told Carmichael would be willing to undergo a community payback order, unpaid work in the community and submit to a restriction of liberty order, as a direct alternative to custody. Sheriff Simon Pender warned Carmichael: “You are coming perilously close to receiving a custodial sentence.

“You have an appalling record and if you continue to steal as you have been doing, jail is where you can expect to be.”

In summary he added: “With considerable hesitation I will give you one more chance.”

Sheriff Pender placed Carmichael on a restriction of liberty order for the next four months, meaning she cannot leave her home between the hours of 6pm and 6am.

In addition Carmichael must carry out 160 hours of unpaid work in the community within the next eight months. Carmichael was also placed under the supervision of a social worker for the next 18 months.