A TEENAGER broke into a Southside restaurant to steal bottles of booze during lockdown.

Kevin Gallacher smashed the door of Kilmurry & Co on Kilmarnock Road, Shawlands, shortly before midnight on October 11, 2020.

The 18-year-old of Cathcart appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court after previously pleading guilty to breaking into the premises and stealing a quantity of alcohol.

Prosecutor fiscal depute Ramsay Cunningham said: “The premises was closed at the time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A witness was preparing to go to bed and observed the accused across the road. Loud banging could thereafter be heard, and the witness observed the accused waiting until passing traffic had gone by before running and kicking the glass front door repeatedly.

“The witness contacted police and described the accused as wearing a face mask and having his hood raised. The accused was observed to make off.

“Police attended a short time after and observed the accused at Pollokshaws train station. He was arrested and conveyed to Cathcart police office. British Transport Police were contacted about images of the accused entering the train station and he was observed carrying bottles of alcohol.”

The court heard that cops then contacted the owner of the restaurant to view CCTV footage.

It showed Gallacher smashing the front door, entering, and stealing numerous bottles of alcohol before making off.

Mr Cunningham revealed that £150 worth of alcohol was stolen and not recovered, meanwhile, it cost £600 to repair the damaged door.

Gallacher’s lawyer said that her client was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

She added: “He does not have a clear recollection of the events; however, he accepts responsibility. Things have calmed down since then. He’s trying to stay out of trouble and gain employment. He is suitable for the youth court.”

Sheriff Jonathan Guy told Gallacher: “Having regard to the facts and the social work report, what I’m going to do is make you subject to a structured deferred sentence.

“The matter will call again in the youth court around a months time. At the end of the period, I’ll likely impose a compensation order to the victim of this crime.”