A NEW patient who stole from a dental surgery was jailed for 108 days on Monday.
Christopher Griffin had just registered with Selkirk Dental Practice, having gone to the West Port surgery with his partner for treatment, when he stole a purse and its contents from a staff room.
Griffin, 28, of Raeburn Meadow, Selkirk, admitted committing the theft on June 5, while on bail.
At Selkirk Sheriff Court, prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the value of the theft was about £100, with no recovery.
She explained: “The main reception is on the first floor and there is another surgery and staff room on the second floor. At 2.40pm, the accused and his partner went to the practice and spoke to the receptionist about an emergency appointment, and were asked to complete registration forms.
“The accused asked if there was a toilet he could use and was directed to the second floor, next to the staff room.”
Another member of staff was suspicious of Griffin and went to check the staff room.
“There was clothing strewn about and it looked as if the room had been searched,” continued Ms Bradley.
The purse – which contained a passport, various cards and money – was reported missing. Griffin ran outside and two staff members went after him, but he made off.
“His partner appeared unaware of what the accused had done,” added Ms Bradley.
At 1.10pm the following day, police saw Griffin, who again ran off, but was caught by officers.
Griffin’s solicitor said the crime was “entirely opportunistic”. He added that Griffin’s partner had been “disgusted” and went with him to try to find the purse, which he said he had thrown away.
The solicitor said: “The majority of his offending is underpinned by a drug problem.”
The jail term was backdated to June 7.