Greenock offender has racked up 63 convictions by mid-30s

Christopher Leishman - who has multiple shoplifting convictions, has threatened and abused retail workers and also been caught with bladed weapons - has not been sentenced for his most recent crimes to give him a chance of securing a spot on a rehabilitation programme.

Greenock Sheriff Court was told that the 34-year-old has 63 previous convictions and is currently in custody for further offending.

The Telegraph told earlier this month that Leishman was caught with two utility knife blades and a screwdriver outside Greenock's Tesco after drunkenly stealing £6 worth of jewellery from Primark.

READ MORE: Shoplifting blade offender with 'formidable record' offered £20k rehab place

After being placed on a deferred sentence by a sheriff for these matters, he went to the town's Lidl store and threatened to harm staff there whilst shouting and swearing.

Defence solicitor Ian Brechany, who has previously referred to his client's record as 'formidable', told the court: "During his time in custody he has been in touch with Phoenix Futures and rehab is available.

"They have obtained £20,000 in funding and he can start a placement there on November 29.

"He is in a revolving door of offending with 63 previous convictions.

"There has been no intervention of any significance via court orders in the last 10 years.

"He lasts a few weeks in the community then offends again."

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The lawyer said that his hope is for a structured deferred sentence to allow the court to 'keep a relatively short leash on Mr Leishman' and gauge his progress with the six-month rehab scheme.

Sheriff Sheena Fraser deferred sentence to allow Leishman's lawyer to obtain a report from Phoenix Futures.

Leishman will remain in custody until the next calling of his case on November 22.