A WOMAN who entered a staff room and stole a set of keys has been admonished by the court.

Claire Docherty sneaked into Bowlarama, on Glassford Street, on February 10 last year.

The 28-year-old appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court to be sentenced on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to the theft.

A staff member at the premises was going about his closing up duties when he noticed Docherty at the fire exit.

The court heard: “It was 3.10am and the premises had not long closed. The witness walked towards the fire exit and the accused was standing there.

“The witness warned other staff members to check their personal belongings. One of the staff members noted that his keys were missing.

“The witness left the locus and made off after the accused and a male she was with. The pair were located within a nearby McDonald's.

“The witness confronted the accused, asking them to empty their pockets, and they did. The witness identified the item.

“Police were contacted and arrested the accused.”

Glasgow Times:

Docherty, who has extreme difficulties with drug use, accepted her actions.

Her defence solicitor said: “She lost her mother in November 2019 and struggled to cope with the grief from that. She went through a spell of living on the streets. She was in an extremely bad place at the time of the offence.

“In fairness to her, she has somewhat stabilised herself. She is residing in supported accommodation at Paisley Road West.

“She is engaging with different programmes and seems to be making good progress. She has not been in any further trouble.”

Sheriff Paul Brown was looking to put Docherty on a community payback order, but noted that she was already subject to an order at Paisley Sheriff Court.

He told her: “I realise the history of this offence and that things are different now – you are in a better place. I will draw a line under this on the basis that you will comply with the other order you’re on.”