Thief tried to steal Hard Rock Cafe guitars during lockdown

Graham Lynch sentenced to 12 months in jail after being caught trying to leave restaurant with three display instruments.

Thief tried to steal Hard Rock Cafe guitars during lockdown SNS

A man who broke into a Hard Rock Cafe and tried to steal three display guitars has been sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Graham Lynch snatched the instruments from the chain in Glasgow city centre on March 26, just days after coronavirus lockdown restrictions were imposed.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard Lynch entered the boarded-up restaurant at 3.10am by smashing a door panel at the rear.

The 41-year-old was caught by police as he tried to escape. Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “He had in his possession three imitation guitars which were display items mounted above the bar.”

Lynch pleaded guilty to housebreaking. He was on licence at the time having been released from prison nine days before the incident.

Tracy Mulholland, defending, said: “On the face of it, this is a ludicrous matter. How was he going to get through the city centre with the guitars from the Hard Rock Cafe?

“This was in no way a sophisticated crime and was connected to his drug use.”

Sheriff Paul Crozier ordered Lynch to complete the remaining 355 days of his licence behind bars before starting his 12-month sentence.

He said: “There is no other method of dealing with you other than a custodial sentence.”

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