A DUNFERMLINE man has been jailed for a “truly appalling crime spree” which included five offences of driving while disqualified.

 

Michael Walkingshaw, 26, of Macbeth Road, took on jobs delivering for local take-aways despite being banned from the roads.

 

He then disappeared with the food and the takings during his first shift.

 

When he appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, he was also sentenced for stealing two cars in Edinburgh having breached a community payback order

 

Walkingshaw admitted a long list of offences and was jailed for two years.

 

On November 17, 2015 at Ozzy’s in Bruce Street, he stole a delivery bag and money with a total value of £82.29.

 

On November 28, 2015, at Turkish Pride in Pilmuir Street, he stole food and money with a value of £53.30.

 

On December 1, 2015, at Tesco Extra, Calais Farm Road, he stole a quantity of fuel with a value of £81.72.

 

On December 2, 2015, at Abbey Fry, Allan Crescent, he stole food, money and a food bag with a value of £98.75.

 

And on March 31, 2016, in Macbeth Road, he failed to stop his car on being required to do so by a uniformed police officer.

 

On all five occasions, he admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance.

 

Walkingshaw was also re-sentenced for stealing a Skoda Octavia and Mercedes A190, having failed to complete a community payback order imposed at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

 

When police went to his home on March 31 last year, they spotted him in a car outside the house.

 

He was told by an officer not to drive away but ignored this and disappeared for almost a year.

 

The court was told that during this time he was “sofa-surfing, sleeping rough and had been in different parts of the country”.

 

Sheriff Charles MacNair told Walkingshaw: “This was a truly appalling crime spree.” He jailed him for 740 days.