by Paul Behan

A TEENAGER who helped steal three bicycles from railway stations has appeared in court.

The 17-year-old, from Drumchapel, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Tuesday for sentencing.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to charges of theft of two bicycles at Westerton Railway Station on March 6 and March 13, while acting with others whose identities are unknown, and the theft of another cycle at Bearsden Railway Station on March 17, again with unknown others.

Sentence had been deferred for background reports but the accused’s defence solicitor was critical of their contents at the hearing. The report claimed the youngster was “highly likely” to reoffend in the future.

This was challenged by the defence agent who said: “I think the report’s been harsh on him.

“He’s a relatively young man who has immediately distanced himself from his peer group and has effectively been out of trouble since March 2016.

“He’s dealt with this very responsibly and he has to be given some credit for that.

“It’s harsh to say he’s highly likely to reoffend in future. He’s obtained some work from his uncle and he seems to be enjoying it but my submission is that (the report) it’s been a little bit harsh.”

The defence solicitor also told the court how the accused’s father had accompanied the teenager to the hearing.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry ordered the teenager to undertake 150 hours of unpaid community work within the next six months and pay £300 compensation. He was also placed under supervision for the next 18 months.