A 52-year-old man who stole alcohol from Morrison’s in Troon has avoided jail.  

James Scobie previously pled guilty to two charges of theft by shoplifting at Ayr Sheriff Court.  

The 52-year-old returned to the court last week for sentencing following social work reports.  

Scobie, of John Street in Ayr, stole £84 worth of booze from the store on March 29.  

Procurator Fiscal Cath White told the court that the full £84 was recovered, but during a second theft where Scobie pinched £74 worth of items, the amount was not recovered.  

Solicitor Ian Gillies said: “He’s now 52 and his problem has been for a number of years alcohol.  

“He went back on alcohol round about the time of these two offences. The reason he went back onto alcohol was family pressures with his father which is brought out in the report. There are no outstanding matters.  

“Your Ladyship will see the items he was stealing that was to fuel his alcohol addiction.”  

Mr Gillies suggested an alcohol addiction course, adding: “He’s not out of the woods yet. He really is at the time in his life to get this under control. He realises that if he carries on with this offending there will only be one place he’s going to go.”  

Sheriff Carole Cunninghame said: “On a margin Mr Scobie I’m going to allow you the opportunity for a Community Payback Order.   

“If you stick with that, that will be in everyone’s interests. If you don’t, that will mean custody.”  

Scobie was given a Community Payback Order with 12 months supervision, referred to attend alcohol counselling, and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.   

For the second shoplifting charge, sentence was deferred for good behaviour until November 22. Scobie was also ordered to pay back the £74 which was not recovered.