A ONE-MAN crimewave smashed his way into SEVEN premises in Greenock including a school and a social club and swiped thousands of pounds in cash — as well as three charity tins.
Connor Mahon carried out raids at the Royal Navy Social Club, 134 Steakhouse, Greenock Workshops, Crown Care Centre, Carroll's Furniture, St Patrick's Primary School and Abbey Vets.
The 21-year-old multiple offender was on four sheriff court bail orders at the time of the break-ins which were carried out last October, November and December.
Mahon stole a total of £3,740 during his crime spree as well as the charity tins, a tablet computer, mobile phone and power tools.
Greenock Sheriff Court heard how he first targeted the Royal Navy Social Club at Mearns Street at 3.40am on October 16 and helped himself to a till which had just £2.50 in it.
Five days later he hit two premises in quick succession — the 134 Steakhouse on Cathcart Street at 1.13am and the Greenock Workshops on Terrace Road a short time later.
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Prosecutor Gemma McKechnie told the court: "Police attended [134 Steakhouse] and noted a brick inside at the bottom of the smashed window, suggesting the mode of entry used by the accused.
"They noted the bar area to be in a state of disarray with the till lying on the floor."
Mahon stole £830 from 134 Steakhouse, made up of £500 from the till and £330 from the three charity tins.
He broke into the Greenock Workshops through a skylight and helped himself to a tablet computer.
Mahon targeted the Crown Care Centre on King Street twice — once on October 26 and again on November 30 — stealing a total of £985 over the course of both break-ins.
Fiscal depute Miss McKechnie told the court that on each occasion the smashed the back patio window of the premises.
Carroll's Furniture premises on George Square was next on the thief's hit list on October 28 when he stole £1,925 in cash, a mobile phone and power tools.
He struck again on December 10 by breaking into St Patrick's Primary School at Broomhill Street with a hammer and 'rummaged through several drawers'.
However, he was disturbed by security alarm being activated and fled the scene as police closed in on him, the court was told.
But Mahon later broke into the nearby Abbey Vets premises at Murdieston Street — just 300 metres from the school — on the same morning.
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Prosecutor Miss McKechnie said: "The accused smashed a window and had jumped over the counter. A till with spilled coins was on the floor."
Mahon was linked to the break-ins through his DNA, having left blood spots and fingerprints at the crime scenes.
He pleaded guilty through lawyer Aidan Gallagher all of the indictment charges.
Mr Gallagher told the court: "He is 21 years of age and has had no previous period of detention imposed.
"He has been remanded in custody since December 13."
Sheriff James Spy deferred sentence on Mahon until August 16 for a background report.
The sheriff told him: "Previous restriction of liberty [electronic tagging] assessments have had little impact so I will not call for such an assessment."
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