AN ALLOA man who had two motorbikes and a bicycle stolen from his garage helped find one of the culprits through social media.

As a result, thief Thomas Watson appeared in the dock at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, December 23.

Watson, of Posthill, Sauchie, admitted that on August 10-11 he broke into a garage at a house in Kilncraigs Road, Alloa, and stole two motorcycles and a bicycle.

Depute fiscal Rachel Wallace said the property owner saw tyres marks next to his garage and found it was unsecured.

When he looked inside, he saw two motorbikes and a bicycle missing.

He put a post on Facebook saying what had happened with photos of what had been stolen.

The owner received an anonymous phone call from a resident of Posthill saying he had seen one of the motorbikes parked in a back garden in the street.

The owner went there but there was no answer at the door. He went into the back garden and found the motorbike.

Watson then appeared at the window and admitted he had taken the motorbike there and police were contacted.

When arrested, Watson said: "I'm sorry. It's out of character for me."

The court was told the two motorbikes had been recovered but the bicycle had not.

Defence solicitor Robert Smith said: "He doesn't have a clear recollection as he'd been consuming alcohol on top of Valium.

"He accepts he took the motorbike and his position is that he was going to give it back but obviously that didn't happen."

Watson, 38, claimed he had taken one motorbike and that an accomplice took the other one and the bike.

Sheriff Neil Bowie told Watson: "This was significant dishonesty perpetrated by you."

He imposed a community payback order with 12 months of supervision and a 90-day restriction of liberty.