A VISITING sheriff has criticised the way a local offender has been allowed to repeatedly commit crimes without facing any consequences.

Sheriff Pino Di Emidio expressed his disapproval when Jamie Burns, 33, appeared in the dock at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, June 6.

Burns faced sentencing for a total of eight different offences: six charges of theft, one of sending threatening communications, and another of intending to commit theft.

Kelly Howe, defending, said sentencing had been deferred when the cases last called for the preparation of a Criminal Justice Social Work report.

Referring to its conclusions, she said: “The report is clear in describing Mr Burns as someone with an entrenched pattern of offending behaviour, with issues of misuse of substances.

"The recommendation is for a deferral for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) assessment.”

Sheriff Emidio then asked why sentencing had been put off for so long - as some of Burns’ offences date as far back as July last year.

Ms Howe explained the matters had initially been put off as Burns had not been in a stable position with his benefits.

She said: “Thereafter, there was an accumulation of matters.

“Most recently, Sheriff David Mackie thought it would be beneficial for reports to be prepared.”

But that answer did not satisfy the agitated sheriff, who said: “I don’t approve of quite so many matters being accumulated in this way.

“There are dangers in accumulating so many matters like this.

“If [Burns] was to be given consecutive sentences, he would be facing a very considerable stretch in prison.”

However, he went on to say he agreed with the recommendation for a DTTO assessment, and ordered for one to be carried out.

He then reluctantly further deferred sentencing Burns, of Main Street in Sauchie, until July 4.