A serial housebreaker returned to his criminal ways just weeks after a sheriff gave him a chance to change.

John Paul Crook was back in the dock at Airdrie Sheriff Court this week. He admitted committing three break-ins while on bail.

He stole cash from Drumpellier Cricket Club in Coatbridge on March 25 and money from a gaming machine at Victoria Bowling Club, also in Coatbridge, on April 10.

The following day Crook broke into the Silver Larch pub in Moodiesburn and took cash from a gaming machine there, reports Lanarkshire Live .

At the same court in February this year, Crook admitted stealing alcohol in Coatbridge and causing £7000 of damage after breaking into TES Electrical in Coatbridge.

The court heard then that he had a criminal record spanning 30 years.

Sheriff Tony McG

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