Serial thief targeted ten stores across North East
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A serial thief who targeted ten different stores and petrol stations across the North East has narrowly avoided jail.
Vicki Watt, over the course of 10 months, stole goods worth more than £2000, including food, drink, toys, clothing, tobacco, scratch cards, toiletries and petrol.
The 37-year-old pilfered items from Asda, Tesco and B&M in Elgin.
She also stole from the ScotMids in Fochabers, Macduff and Banff, plus the Tesco in Banff.
In addition, she also failed to pay for fuel at the Tesco filling stations in Huntly and Inverurie, plus Strathbogie services on the A96 at Huntly.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty said his client had a heroin problem at the time.
The lawyer added that Watt also had an anxiety disorder and had been diagnosed as bi-polar.
Mr Carty said: "She was living a chaotic lifestyle.
"Her behaviour at the time is a matter of deep regret.
"She's painfully aware that the court will be considering a custodial sentence."
Asking for her to be spared jail, Mr Carty said that his client was now on a methadone programme and had also just learned that she was pregnant.
Sheriff David Harvie questioned why Watt had told social workers that her offences were not planned.
He asked: "Does your client still maintain that ludicrous position?"
Speaking directly to Watt, the sheriff told her: "If I'm to believe that you are going to make progress then I need to know that you accept responsibility for what you did."
Mr Carty answered that Watt had given the social workers a "panic explanation".
The lawyer added: "When someone is wrapped up in a drug problem the truth very often vanishes."
Sheriff Harvie replied: "She's right to panic. I hope this discussion gives her an appreciation of how close she is to the edge."
Watt used to live in Huntly, but her current address was given in court papers as Parks Road, Portsoy.
Her various thefts took place between June 2021 and April last year.
For legal purposes these were collected together in three different charges, all of which Watt admitted.
In respect of the first charge she was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community within the next six months.
Sheriff Harvie, with regards to the other two, decided to delay passing any sentence until May 31.
Watt was told to return to Elgin Sheriff Court on that date so the court could review how she was progressing with the unpaid work.
The defendant was also placed under the court's supervision for the next year.
