16-year-old bike thief's jail warning

A 16-year-old who stole a motorcycle had sentence deferred until October 9, with a warning from Sheriff Kevin Drummond that if he didn't change his ways he could face custody.

At Jedburgh last Thursday, the court heard that Christopher Moore, of McLagan Drive, was already on deferred sentence for vandalism when, while acting with others, he stole a motorcycle from Charles Street on August 9.

Depute fiscal Mark Keane told how neighbours saw the accused and others near the front garden of an address nearby where a motorcycle was parked.

"The bike was rocked back and forward, before the steering lock was disengaged and it was pushed out on to the road," explained Mr Keane.

The woman shouted from her window and the man contacted police.

"The youths were laughing and one of them got on the bike and freewheeled, with the accused running alongside," continued Mr Keane.

He said the bike was recovered dumped in bushes near Ivanhoe Terrace shortly after midnight.

When police spoke to Moore he said someone else had wanted to steal the bike, but admitted he had helped.

Defence lawyer Rory Bannerman described the offence as "a boyish prank.

"He has been to the owner of the bike and apologised, and has sensibly distanced himself from the others involved since.

"He has learned not to fly with the crows," added Mr Bannerman.

"He says it was his friend's idea to take the bike, but he couldn't move it, so he helped him shift it," concluded Mr Bannerman.

Sheriff Drummond told Moore: "You are 16 and now appear before me for a second time, committing this offence when you were on deferred sentence for vandalism.

"These things go with you for the rest of your life," he explained.

"If you can't sop this then I can, but it would be better that you stopped it," he concluded.

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