2 weeks Ago
Lee Handren pretended to a woman he had carried out repair work to a property in Damdale, Peebles, in May 2023, and asked her to pay £80. But the woman was told Handren had not carried out any repairs and she refused to pay. The court was told he attempted to phone her on a number of occasions but she still refused to do so.
A not guilty plea to theft by shoplifting was accepted by the Crown. Handren’s lawyer said his client had experienced difficulties with drug abuse. Handren, of Dalatho Crescent, Peebles, told the court he would be unable to carry out unpaid work as part of community payback order because, due to his drug treatment, he had “lazy days” and would not be able to carry out tasks.
Instead, Handren was fined £250 with a £20 victim surcharge and also £75 compensation to the woman he tried to defraud which he will need to pay at £10 per fortnight. As he left the dock, Handren said: “No wonder people steal.”.
