A MAN claimed he breached a bail-imposed curfew as had no power in his home, Alloa Sheriff Court heard.

John Connell (28) was found by police officers walking along Sauchie’s Main Street around 11pm on 28 December.

When asked why he was outside, he told them, “I was trying to get to Alloa from Tillicoultry as I have no power”.

Connell, of Mar Street, Alloa, appeared last Monday (30 December) and pled guilty to breaching bail conditions that required him to remain inside between 7pm and 7am. His solicitor, Claire McCarron, said it was an “unusual case”.

She explained that Connell had been living in homeless accommodation, where he had been waiting for a council tenancy, when the bail condition was imposed.

She added that Connell had recently been given a tenancy in Tillicoultry but could not move in until it had been decorated.

As a result he had his bail conditions amended to include the council property so he could spend time there decorating it.

Ms McCarron said her client had been at the Tillicoultry property when his power ran out about 10.30pm – and he had no credit on his mobile phone.

She said, “He decided to walk back to the address in Alloa rather than stay in Tillicoultry.” Sheriff David Hall placed Connell on a community payback order with 65 hours unpaid work to be completed within three months.