A Perth man with a history of criminal activity is being offered a critical opportunity to alter the course of his life, despite admitting to burgling two prominent city centre establishments shortly after his release from incarceration. Ronald Reilly, aged 44, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court following midnight incursions at Monterey Jack’s and The Sandeman earlier this year.
Reilly, who was captured on CCTV hauling a stolen cash till through a local alleyway, expressed to the court his deep weariness with his drug-addiction driven lifestyle and his readiness for genuine change. “It’s nothing I’m proud of,” he stated, indicating remorse for his actions. Midnight Raid at Monterey Jack’s
The first incident occurred on May 10, when an employee arriving for work at Monterey Jack’s on St John’s Place discovered the main entrance unsecured around 11 am. Initially dismissing it as an oversight, the employee quickly realised a break-in had taken place upon entering the premises. Fiscal depute Laurelle Johnstone detailed that two laptops, a card reader, a cash drawer containing a £100 float, and 14 bottles of alcohol valued at over £230 had been stolen. Further investigation revealed tool marks on a rear door, suggesting forced entry with a screwdriver.
CCTV footage from the restaurant clearly showed Reilly and an accomplice gaining access through the damaged back door. Reilly was observed navigating the service area, opening various storage units, and concealing items within his clothing. He then passed a tool to his associate, who attempted to force open a drawer before Reilly himself seized the till drawer and exited the building. The pair were subsequently traced on camera returning to Reilly’s residence in St Catherine’s Square. A search of his property by police later yielded only an empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s, implying a quick consumption of some of the pilfered goods. The Sandeman Targeted Two Nights Later
Just two nights subsequent to the Monterey Jack’s theft, on May 12, detectives received intelligence regarding three suspicious individuals in the city centre. Surveillance footage captured them approaching a side door of The Sandeman pub on Kinnoull Street. Moments later, the trio were seen fleeing the scene in the direction of the Thimblerow car park.
Upon inspection, officers found a broken glass bottle near the side door of The Sandeman, which also showed signs of forced entry. CCTV operators successfully tracked the suspects to a nearby alleyway where they were seen with a large black till and a rucksack. Although Reilly and another man were initially stopped and searched without immediate suspicion, police revisited the alleyway. There, they located the discarded rucksack containing several bottles of alcohol, pliers, a screwdriver, and a decorative plastic rose, all identified as items stolen from the pub. The pub manager confirmed the theft of approximately 20 bottles of alcohol, estimated at £300, noting that the till itself contained no cash. A Crossroads for Reilly
Defence solicitor Calum McCormack informed the court that his client has long-standing and significant struggles with addiction, explaining that “these offences were committed to feed his habit.” He highlighted that Reilly had been released from custody just days prior to the break-ins, with no financial resources available to him, underscoring the impulsive and unplanned nature of the crimes. Mr McCormack stressed that there was no elaborate forethought involved.
Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane directly addressed Reilly, acknowledging his lengthy pattern of offending. “This has been a pattern for many, many years. Are you not reaching the point where you are sick of this?” she questioned. Reilly responded with clear self-awareness: “Yes, I have a long-standing problem with drugs. It’s nothing I’m proud of. The second the drugs wore off in prison, I contacted my solicitor to plead guilty.”
Recognising the repetitive cycle, Sheriff McFarlane commented that Reilly had effectively “started a life sentence by instalments.” However, in a move offering a glimmer of hope, she opted to defer sentencing until early next year, aligning with his scheduled release date. This decision aims to allow the presiding sheriff at that time to establish a comprehensive support system designed to assist Reilly in breaking free from his cycle of addiction and crime. The Sheriff concluded by emphasizing to Reilly: “This is a chance for you,” underlining the importance of this opportunity for him to embark on a different path.
Reilly, who was captured on CCTV hauling a stolen cash till through a local alleyway, expressed to the court his deep weariness with his drug-addiction driven lifestyle and his readiness for genuine change. “It’s nothing I’m proud of,” he stated, indicating remorse for his actions. Midnight Raid at Monterey Jack’s
The first incident occurred on May 10, when an employee arriving for work at Monterey Jack’s on St John’s Place discovered the main entrance unsecured around 11 am. Initially dismissing it as an oversight, the employee quickly realised a break-in had taken place upon entering the premises. Fiscal depute Laurelle Johnstone detailed that two laptops, a card reader, a cash drawer containing a £100 float, and 14 bottles of alcohol valued at over £230 had been stolen. Further investigation revealed tool marks on a rear door, suggesting forced entry with a screwdriver.
CCTV footage from the restaurant clearly showed Reilly and an accomplice gaining access through the damaged back door. Reilly was observed navigating the service area, opening various storage units, and concealing items within his clothing. He then passed a tool to his associate, who attempted to force open a drawer before Reilly himself seized the till drawer and exited the building. The pair were subsequently traced on camera returning to Reilly’s residence in St Catherine’s Square. A search of his property by police later yielded only an empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s, implying a quick consumption of some of the pilfered goods. The Sandeman Targeted Two Nights Later
Just two nights subsequent to the Monterey Jack’s theft, on May 12, detectives received intelligence regarding three suspicious individuals in the city centre. Surveillance footage captured them approaching a side door of The Sandeman pub on Kinnoull Street. Moments later, the trio were seen fleeing the scene in the direction of the Thimblerow car park.
Upon inspection, officers found a broken glass bottle near the side door of The Sandeman, which also showed signs of forced entry. CCTV operators successfully tracked the suspects to a nearby alleyway where they were seen with a large black till and a rucksack. Although Reilly and another man were initially stopped and searched without immediate suspicion, police revisited the alleyway. There, they located the discarded rucksack containing several bottles of alcohol, pliers, a screwdriver, and a decorative plastic rose, all identified as items stolen from the pub. The pub manager confirmed the theft of approximately 20 bottles of alcohol, estimated at £300, noting that the till itself contained no cash. A Crossroads for Reilly
Defence solicitor Calum McCormack informed the court that his client has long-standing and significant struggles with addiction, explaining that “these offences were committed to feed his habit.” He highlighted that Reilly had been released from custody just days prior to the break-ins, with no financial resources available to him, underscoring the impulsive and unplanned nature of the crimes. Mr McCormack stressed that there was no elaborate forethought involved.
Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane directly addressed Reilly, acknowledging his lengthy pattern of offending. “This has been a pattern for many, many years. Are you not reaching the point where you are sick of this?” she questioned. Reilly responded with clear self-awareness: “Yes, I have a long-standing problem with drugs. It’s nothing I’m proud of. The second the drugs wore off in prison, I contacted my solicitor to plead guilty.”
Recognising the repetitive cycle, Sheriff McFarlane commented that Reilly had effectively “started a life sentence by instalments.” However, in a move offering a glimmer of hope, she opted to defer sentencing until early next year, aligning with his scheduled release date. This decision aims to allow the presiding sheriff at that time to establish a comprehensive support system designed to assist Reilly in breaking free from his cycle of addiction and crime. The Sheriff concluded by emphasizing to Reilly: “This is a chance for you,” underlining the importance of this opportunity for him to embark on a different path.