A THIEF who snatched the takings from a broken down bus has been fined at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Dean Palmer, of Earl Street in Hawick, climbed through the driver's cab window in the town's Mart Street on February 13.

The 40-year-old stole a rucksack which contained the driver's takings.

Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley said the bus had broken down and a number of people were outside the bus when Palmer stole the rucksack containing £32.15 in coins.

CCTV captured Palmer carrying out, what Ms Bradley described as, an "opportunistic theft".

The rucksack was later recovered from a nearby wheelie bin minus the coins.

When apprehended by police Palmer told them: "I suffer from schizophrenia. "I hear voices and they tell me to do stuff. I can't remember what I did."

Palmer - who receives £250 a week in benefits - was ordered to pay £32.15 to the bus company in compensation as well as fined £225.