Andrew Robertson

A 49-year-old man from Buckhaven, Fife, has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison for wasting police time by inventing a false story about an attack and robbery. Andrew Robertson, previously convicted of possessing indecent images of children, admitted to making false representations to police officers on 16 February at his home and Levenmouth Police Station.

The court heard that Robertson, residing on Eagle Road, concocted a tale claiming two men had struck him from behind and stolen his laptop and bag. This was an attempt to conceal the fact that he had disposed of the device in a bin in Edinburgh. Officers grew suspicious due to Robertson's nervous demeanour and inconsistencies in his account, prompting further investigation. Upon questioning, he confessed to the fabrication, expressing regret and guilt over wasting police resources.

Robertson had a prior conviction for possessing indecent photographs or pseudophotographs of children between January 2013 and March 2014, for which he was placed on a supervision order and added to the sex offenders register. In March, following a breach of his community payback order, Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist revoked it and imposed a 30-day custodial sentence. At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, Sheriff Alastair Thornton imposed the 20-week sentence, stating, “This was a significant offence of wasting police time by making false representations to them and rendering the lieges liable to suspicion.” The sheriff noted that the disposal of the laptop had likely been addressed in the earlier sentencing and would not result in additional jail time.

The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of sex offenders under supervision, with Robertson's actions leading to an unnecessary police investigation into the alleged theft. Police from Fife Division became involved after Robertson's report, diverting resources from other duties. This incident occurred amid Robertson's existing obligations related to his sex offence conviction, underscoring the breach's severity.

Source: The Courier, reporting on proceedings at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.