A MAN who bought almost £100 worth of goods with a fraudulent debit card and attempted a number of break-ins has been jailed.

Charles Andrew Law, who is currently a prisoner at HMP Barlinnie, appeared from custody at Ayr Sheriff Court. The 28-year-old had previously pled guilty to two charges of fraud, three charges of attempted housebreaking with intent to steal and one charge of housebreaking. The case had been adjourned for social work reports and Law returned to court last week for sentencing.

Law used a debit card under another man’s name at a WH Smith and a McColls in Ayr on October 4 of last year.

Three days later, Law attempted to break in to three properties in Ayr with intent to steal. He repeatedly kicked the doors of two flats in Elba Gardens, and forced open a window at a woman’s house.

Law also broke into Superdrug on Ayr’s High Street on January 5 and stole a quantity of fragrances.

Law’s solicitor, Tony Currie, asked Sheriff Scott Pattison to take into consideration that his client had issues with addiction but had been working towards getting better.

He said: “We have a detailed Criminal Justice Social Work Report and in summary I know it describes him as a 28-year-old man with significant trauma in care experiences.

“[He has had] a difficult background – unfortunate and not uncommon in these matters – which has led to addiction which has become more significant.

That has impacted on his health.

“In the circumstances when he pled guilty to you it was him that requested if there will be help available to him [for addiction].

I would ask his Lordship to allow him to continue with the route that he has begun down.

“I would invite your Lordship to take into account he accepts full responsibility. He doesn’t shy away.”

Sheriff Pattison commended Law for his progress in battling his addiction and said: “Mr Law, keep your head up. I mean that in a good way, I’m not giving you a row.”

But the sheriff also added: “These offences are serious, and I need to punish you.”

Sheriff Pattison sentenced Law to two years and nine months imprisonment backdated from January 7.

He also placed him on a Supervision Release Order for nine months afterwards.