A WOMAN had her mobile phone stolen by a drug addict as she walked along a Dunfermline street.

The victim chased after the thief as he ran off and police later found the phone in his room at a homeless hostel.

The incident led to Muir, 25, now of Keir Hardie Terrace, appearing from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on October 10, on the footpath at Comely Park, Dunfermline, he stole a mobile phone from a woman.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf told the court: “At 1.40pm, the complainer was walking in the St Margaret’s Drive area with a friend. The accused approached and asked her for the time.

“She took out her phone to look for him and he grabbed it out of her hand and ran off in the direction of the train station.

“She ran after him for some distance but then went back to her friend and they phoned the police.”

Police later traced Muir at the James Bank Hostel and found the phone in his room.

When interviewed by police Muir told them: “I was ‘vallied’ out my nut” but claimed: “I didn’t do it.”

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said as well as taking Valium, his client had been addicted to heroin for two years.

He admitted his client had a “chequered history” of previous offending.

“The motivation for this offence was to sell the phone to buy heroin,” he added.

Sheriff Derek Reekie called for reports. He said he was “concerned about the risks to the public” if he released Muir but despite this, he granted bail.

He imposed a home curfew from 7pm-7am. Muir will be sentenced on December 6.