A Kirkcaldy thief who stole two diggers worth almost £60,000 – then blew the proceeds on booze and gambling – was today facing jail.

James Stewart (23) hired three JCB machines from stores in Cupar and St Andrews in January last year.

But he didn’t give them back – fobbing off the owners off with excuses before ignoring their calls.

Police were called in and were able to track one of the diggers to a travellers’ site in Aberdeenshire and another to an industrial estate in Kirkcaldy.

 The third – valued at £21,000 – has never been found.

Now Stewart, of Adamson Avenue, faces a jail term after admitting two charges of theft at Dundee Sheriff Court.

His lawyer told the court the theft had been a “foolish plan to make money” and that he’d spent the cash on alcohol and gambling.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson told the court: “On January 19, 2015, the accused attended at FTM Plant Hire in Cupar and rented a JCB digger and dumper for a week at a cost of £250.

Read more: http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/kirkcaldy-man-faces-jail-after-stealing-jcb-equipment-worth-60k-1-4072108#ixzz45WzDT14a