A heroin addict who staged a heist at his own mother's home and sold on almost £2,000 worth of her gems for just £80 was jailed on Tuesday.
Thomas Devers arranged a break-in at his mother's house and stole jewellery which he then pawned off.
Devers was described as "feckless" and "a waste of space" by Sheriff Robert McCreadie, who then jailed him for a total of ten months and ten days.
Perth Sheriff Court had earlier heard how Devers set-up the "despicable" raid to feed a heroin habit which was costing him more than £30,000 a year to sustain.
Fiscal depute Therese Oswald told the court: "A total of £1,800 worth of jewellery was stolen and sold later for £80. He said he had arranged for someone to break-in and steal his mother's jewellery. He said he did it because he had a £90 a day heroin habit.
"He said he had advised his friend which items not to steal because of their sentimental value. He told the police where he had pawned the jewellery."
The court was told that Devers had not been welcome at his mother's home in Ancaster Way, Muthill, Perthshire, at the time of the offence on May 1 this year.
The break-in had been carried out while Devers knew his mother had been away from her home overnight, and the thief had taken advantage of an unlocked window. Three necklaces and two rings, valued at £1,800, were taken. Police later traced some of the items at a pawn shop.
Devers, of Manse Crescent, Stanley, Perthshire, admitted breaking into the house and stealing jewellery. He also admitted intending to commit theft at a bakery on 12 May. He admitted being found in the grounds of Campbell's Bakers in Crieff, Perthshire, in circumstances which suggested he was about to commit theft.
He also admitted failing to provide a breath test after being stopped for suspected drink driving. Devers also had no licence or insurance on the A85 Crieff road on 25 March.
Solicitor Cliff Culley said: "He caused a great deal of grief to his family by acting that way, though I understand his mother is talking to him."
Sheriff McCreadie said: "To steal your own mother's jewellery is particularly despicable and to arrange for someone else to do it is equally despicable. He said himself he is a chancer. This is a crucial, critical moment in his life. The decision he takes now could determine the rest of his life.
"If he doesn't take the chance to reform then the only sentence he will get again and again will be a custodial one. I am sceptical."
