CCTV'd

Caught on own CCTV after staging 'robbery'

A SHOP supervisor staged a robbery at his work only to be caught out by the store's own CCTV camera.

John Tait got his friend to beat him up and steal more than £3300 from the safe at Scotmid in Calder Road, Edinburgh, on July 24 last year.

Tait, 21, was found lying on the floor of the shop injured and bleeding and claimed he had been assaulted and robbed.

But when police checked CCTV footage they saw Tait opening the shop on his day off and going in with his co-accused, Christopher McGirr, 20.

The pair, who regularly gamble together, admitted they had made up the plan at the Stanley Berkley Casino, in Rutland Street.

Tait admitted opening the safe and later told police he had also stolen another £3000 from it just days before.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard Tait had worked at the store for some time before being promoted to trainee supervisor.

Fiscal depute Carol Urquhart said two cleaners had arrived for work at the shop on July 24 last year to find the window shutters up but the lights off.

"When they entered the premises they found John Tait lying on the floor," she said. "He was bleeding from injuries. His mobile phone was nearby and was broken and the safe within the premises was open."

Tait, of Findlay Avenue, Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to stealing £3000 from the Scotmid safe.

He and McGirr also admitted planning to falsely stage an assault and robbery at the store, and reporting it to police.

Tait admitted opening the safe and stealing £3344 from it, and McGirr, of Lyne Street, Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to repeatedly striking Tait on the head and body.

They will be sentenced next month

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1659982007