Man caught on CCTV attempting to steal catalytic converter from Kia Sportage
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Sentence has been deferred on a man who attempted to steal a catalytic converter from a car parked at a north vehicle repair yard.
Patrick Stewart (24), Ord Road, Marybank, appeared at Tain Sheriff Court today to admit using a power tool to try to steal the catalytic converter from a Kia Sportage.
The incident happened on April 12, 2021, at Highland Autor Repair, Inverbreakie Industral Estate, Invergordon.
The court was told that CCTV footage showed a red vehicle similar to a Ford Focus being driven to the site at around 9pm on the day in question. Stewart got out of the car with a second man, who has not been identified.
Stewart is seen looking at a blue Golf and a black Audi before being called over by name to a Kia Sportage by the other man.
The court heard that Stewart then got under the Kia and the sound of a power tool could be heard on the CCTV.
However, after hearing a vehicle approach the site, Stewart got out from underneath the Kia and crouched behind it before the men ran from the site to their own car which headed in the direction of Invergordon.
The Kia was later checked and scratch marks were observed on its catalytic converter.
Sheriff Gary Aitken observed that catalytic converters were "exceedingly expensive" and there was "quite the illegal trade for them".
He deferred sentence until July 4 for Criminal Justice background reports.
