A 32-YEAR-OLD man stole a bike from a house in Dunfermline and was later caught by police cycling along the road on it.

The thief was Ryan Clark, of Spittalfield Road, Inverkeithing, who appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted previously that on April 17, at Park Avenue, Dunfermline, he stole a bicycle.

He also admitted that on June 8, he was found in the curtilage of a house in Buchanan Street, Dunfermline, whereby it could be incurred he intended to commit theft.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the first incident occurred at around 10pm. The residents had been watching TV and then went to their garage. They saw Clark cycling off on the bike, which had been stored in the garage and was valued at £500.

He was later spotted on the bike by police who had been contacted about the theft.

In the latter incident, Clark was found sitting in a car which was parked outside a house.

The owner had been taking items into his house and returned to see Clark sitting in the passenger seat, rummaging about in the car.

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff said his client had a “background of illicit drug use”. He added: “He’s no stranger to the court and he’s remorseful for these offences.

Sheriff Charles Macnair imposed a community payback order with 270 hours of unpaid work.