A HAWICK man who staged a break-in to a local pharmacy and stole eight boxes of aftershave has been ordered to carry out 75 hours unpaid work at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Forty eight year old John Donaldson of Ivanhoe terrace, pleaded guilty to braking into the Lindsay and Gilmour Pharmacy in Bourtree Place, Hawick, on April 3 and stealing a quanity of cosmetics.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said that while there was a full recovery of the stolen goods, the cost of the damage for the break-in was £878 plus VAT.

He said:"It was around 2.45am when people living nearby heard banging sounds and could see a man holding a bag at the chemist's.

"He was leaning through a window before making off along Weensland Road with after shave boxes.

"The police were called and the accused was traced and everything recovered from him."

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said:"He was intoxicated at the time.  It was a spur of the moment thing to do."

Sheriff Charlotte Coutts said that supervision to address his alcohol problem would be part of a community pay back order with the requirement to carry out 75 hours unpaid work over the next six months.

The sentence was an alternative to custody.