A MAN was jailed today for five months after stealing two children’s charity tins – after losing his bus ticket home.

David Lander was caught on CCTV stealing the cash earmarked for sick youngsters from a takeaway and a pub in Aberdeen in a ten-minute crime spree.

He distracted staff and customers at Sizzler’s fast food joint near the city’s bus and train stations before grabbing the charity collection from the counter and making off with it under his jacket.

Just a few minutes later he walked into Wagley’s Bar a hundred yards away and repeated the brazen act.

Lander, 54, appeared from custody at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today and admitted stealing two charity tins on November 29.

The two donation boxes he is estimated to have pocketed around £160 from were later found at Lander’s home in Montrose, but no money was recovered.

When initially questioned by police he said: “I never took a charity tin”.

In the CCTV footage Lander could be clearly seen using a tool to break the chain that secures the charity tin to the counter in Sizzlers, then ushered other customers in front of him so he could get back to the tin.

He casually swiped it the charity tin for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust from the counter and placed it under his jacket before making an exit.

Around 10 minutes later, he walked into Wagley’s Bar in the city’s Exchange Street, ordered a pint. As the bar staff turned their backs he reached across the bar, freed the chain tying the collection bottle to a beer tap and slid it into his coat.

He then made his exit with the cash, which was for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

Defence agent Sheena Mair said her client had been drinking in the area but had lost his return bus ticket home. She said: “He was under the influence of of alcohol and he took these items.

“He tells me he is sorry and has offered to repay the money.”

Sheriff Donald Ferguson dismissed Ms Mair’s plea for a community payback order.

The sheriff told Lander: “This has crossed the custodial threshold by a large margin. This was a mean and despicable offence and it’s important that you are jailed immediately.”

Staff at Wagley’s have since launched a charity appeal to try and replace the stolen money for sick kids this Christmas.