by Craig Borland

A CLYDEBANK thief who stole gold jewellery worth £2,000 to feed his heroin habit has no idea what happened to most of the items, a court has heard.

George Mullen’s haul from the theft included a 22-carat gold bracelet, two gold rings set with sapphires and a diamond, a third gold ring set with a ruby and diamonds, a gold necklace with three diamonds, a pair of gold stud earrings, various items of costume jewellery and an adjustable gold baby’s bangle.

But a court hearing last week was told that the baby bangle was the only item to have been recovered – and that 33-year-old Mullen “is not sure” whether he had sold or given away the other items.

Mullen, of Jean Armour Drive, appeared in court on Thursday for sentencing for the theft, which happened during June 2015 at a property in Laggary Road in Rhu, near Helensburgh.

Fiscal depute Joanne Gilmour told the court hearing: “The value of the items is approximately £2,000.

“The person who the jewellery was stolen from says the sentimental value was greater than the monetary value.

“The accused indicates he is not sure whether he sold them or gave them away.

“He has indicated he really doesn’t know, and is unable to assist in the recovery of any of these items.”

Mullen’s solicitor, Brian McGuire, told the court his client was progressing well on a community payback order imposed for an unrelated offence – stating that a progress report was “in glowing terms”.

On the jewellery theft Mr McGuire said: “It’s serious, undoubtedly. He fully accepts that.

“He was in the throes of a very bad heroin addiction.

“Where matters seem to be going entirely in the right direction presently, that has to be balanced against the nature of the offence.

“He has very little recollection of what he was doing.

“He doesn’t even remember his involvement in the situation or what he did with the items.

“He explained to me he had a very serious drug problem – he was taking drugs to a ridiculous extent at the time.”

Mullen’s previous convictions for drug-related theft include breaking into a property in Alexandria in October 2015 and stealing a TV set, an iPad and a dressing gown, which he then exchanged for four £10 bags of heroin.

Sheriff Simon Pender asked whether any of the stolen items had been insured and whether there had been any financial recovery through an insurance policy.

When Ms Gilmour said she did not know, Sheriff Pender decided to continue the case until May 5 to allow the Crown to seek more information from the owner of the jewellery.