Kyle Adam, now 21, has avoided a prison sentence for stealing three vehicles over a six-week period in 2024, with the sheriff citing his young age as a primary consideration. Adam, of Berryhill Crescent, Wishaw, admitted the thefts at Hamilton Sheriff Court and was handed a community payback order.
Details of the Thefts
Adam was 19 when he committed the crimes between July and September 2024. He stole a car in Bressay Wynd, Newmains, while on bail for another matter. Further thefts occurred in Leyland Road, Motherwell, and John Bowman Gardens, Bellshill.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Defence lawyer Molly McConnell argued that Adam was "hanging around with a negative peer group" at the time. She added: "He expresses remorse and has stayed out of trouble for a period of time." Sheriff Michael Higgins acknowledged that the custody threshold had been crossed but noted the young persons' guidelines. He said: "Under the young persons' guidelines, your interests are a primary consideration for the court in the sentencing process. Your previous convictions involve matters of dishonesty and you were subject to a community payback order when these offences were committed. I'm satisfied the custody threshold has been crossed, but the justice social work report says you express regret and show some insight. You experienced difficulties in childhood that were not of your making and I take that into account."
The sheriff placed Adam under supervision for 18 months and ordered 180 hours of unpaid community work. He told Adam: "This will allow the court to monitor you for a longer period than if a custodial sentence had been imposed."
