Jail for man after Sutherland holiday home break-in
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A MAN from County Durham broke into a holiday home in north west Sutherland because he was "struggling to survive".
Darren Merritt had fled to Scotland to avoid being recalled to prison in England, a court heard.
The 46-year-old first broke into a garage before forcing a lock at the Old School House in Kinlochbervie on Sunday, May 31.
At Inverness Sheriff Court today, he admitted the theft of food and maps from the property.
Police finally caught up with him at Kylestrome when he gave them a false name and address.
He told officers that he had had "a really good night's sleep" at the north west Sutherland property.
He was jailed for 11 weeks.
Defence solicitor Laura Jane McFarlane said her client would be returned to England to serve most or all of a nine month jail sentence remaining.
She added: “He was struggling to survive and what he stole was food and maps.”
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley said: “He is subject to a recall to prison in England and this explains his presence in Scotland.”
