A 'DESPERATE' Port thief who stole his mum's £500 TV and sold it for £50 has not completed any of the unpaid work hours given to him two years ago as punishment.  

Michael Joyce had been ordered to complete a 50-hour community payback order in October 2021, and given a year to do it, after selling the telly to Cash Generator in Greenock.

The 31-year-old had not engaged with the unpaid work directive prior to being jailed this year for a meat cleaver offence and has ignored the order since his release a few weeks ago.

Joyce, who has multiple previous convictions, pinched the 37-inch TV while his mum was away for a few days.

READ MORE: 'Desperate' son stole his mother's TV and sold it to Cash Generator

 

Procurator fiscal depute Lindy Scaife stated previously: "The accused's mother contacted the police and officers attended at the Cash Generator shop in Greenock.

"They spoke to the manager who confirmed that the accused had attended and traded a 37-inch TV for £50.

"The [original] value of the TV was £500."

Joyce was said afterwards to have still had 'good relations' with his mother.

His lawyer Gerry Keenan said: "He ran out of money and in desperation carried out this stupid act."

Joyce was given a backdated prison term earlier this year for wielding a meat cleaver at a blade-carrying woman near his home at Stanton Square in Port Glasgow.

He pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening manner by shouting, swearing and acting aggressively whilst in possession of a blade.

Joyce was told by a sheriff that a drug treatment and testing order 'would not be an appropriate disposal' for such an offence.

He was also handed a 60-day sentence in August, to be served concurrently, for a separate matter in which he stole alcohol from Iceland in Port Glasgow.

READ MORE: Port man wielded meat clever during confrontation with blade-carrying woman

Greenock Sheriff Court was told that Joyce has been at liberty for a few weeks following the meat cleaver sentence and has not completed any of the unpaid work hours for the TV offence.

Solicitor Mr Keenan told a review hearing that Joyce has been in custody between April and October and has paid £50 compensation to the pawn shop.

Sheriff Sheena Fraser told Joyce: "By virtue of being in custody for a period of time you have an understanding of what will happen if you fail to comply with this order."

Joyce's CPO was extended by 10 hours to 60 hours, to be completed within six months.