A DRUG ADDICT who carried out a bogus charity collection in Dunfermline High Street has been jailed.

Andrew Brady had originally been placed on a drug treating and testing order, however, found himself back in the dock of Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday after admitting breaching this punishment.

Brady, 39, of Gillfillan Road, had previously admitted that on February 7 this year, in the High Street, he acted as a collector without authority and approached people and obtained money while purporting to be collecting donations for Cancer Research.

He also, between February 7 and 8, at a property in Fodbank View, Dunfermline, opened a car and stole a quantity of golf clubs and accessories, a lighter and personal identification.

At another property in the same street, he opened a car and stole a quantity of electronic items and a photographic identification pass.

On October 26 this year, at a house in Rose Crescent, he also entered an insecure car and stole a wallet and quantity of CDs. On the same date, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner when he shouted, swore and struggled with a woman.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said police had received "numerous calls" reporting a suspicious male on the High Street who appeared to have a Cancer Research bucket and was approaching people for money.

Officers spoke to him and he said he was collecting for the charity as he was taking part in a boxing match for them – but he had no identification or letters of authority.

When they contacted the boxing organisers, they said he had registered for the event and received the bucket, however, had taken no further part in the fundraiser.

Solicitor David McLaughlin said his client had previously been placed on the drug treating and testing order for the offences.

"He might have been fortunate to have been put on that order but for a matter of several months, he showed to the court he was capable of complying with the order," he said.

The defence agent said Brady fell "spectacularly off the wagon" but continued to have a motivation to try to deal with his drug issues.

"He has drug problems and people with drug problems unfortunately have relapses," he said. "Unfortunately for him, he has not only relapsed but has offended."

Sheriff Alastair Brown revoked his drug treatment and testing order. He said for reasons which were "incomprehensible to him", the charity collection offence could only be dealt with by a financial penalty. He admonished him on that charge, however, jailed him for 10 months for the other crimes.

He also granted a non-harassment order banning him from approaching or contacting his former partner for two years.