STEALING a child’s bike has led to a former Walkerburn man being jailed for four months.

George Wright, who now lives in Ayrshire, was also sentenced to five months in prison for snatching a charity bottle from a shop in Innerleithen last February.

The 23-year-old appeared from custody at Peebles Sheriff Court.

Wright admitted taking the bike from Waverley Mills in Innerleithen during the early hours of July 16.

Neighbours had attempted to stop him but he pedalled off on the child’s bicycle before police arrived.

Procurator Fiscal Graham Fraser said: “The accused was seen in the street at around 12.50am when he went up a close and removed the girl’s bike.

“Neighbours shouted at him to put it back but he cycled off on it. They pursued him in vehicles but they didn’t catch him.” Wright had already been sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work for stealing a charity bottle from Nickle and Dime on February 19.

But after leaving the Borders for a new life in Ayrshire earlier this year he hadn’t completed his pay back order.

Defence lawyer Matt Patrick said: “He was thrown out of his home and decided to make a fresh start. He was brought up in care homes in Irvine and still had contacts there, so he moved back.

“He did try to contact social services but they never got his message.” The court was told that Wright is now in a relationship and has a job offer.

Mr Patrick added: “He is a lot healthier these days and wants to complete the Payback Order so he can get on with his life.” Sheriff Peter Paterson had different ideas and sent Wright to prison. The Sheriff said: “The court made it clear to you that the Payback Order was an alternative to custody. You had your chance.” The sentences, which will run concurrent, are backdated to January 26, when he was taken into custody.