A former footballer has been jailed for two years after carrying out a six-month crime spree to fund a major drug habit.

Ex-Scotland and Hearts youth player Andrew Shaw was locked up on Wednesday after a court heard how his life spiralled out of control when he left the army.

Shaw, 28, who completed a Scottish Football Association coaching course while on remand, was told by a sheriff he had started life as a "very promising" young man.

But after failing to make the breakthrough in senior football and suffering post-traumatic stress as a result of military service he developed "a multitude of drug issues".

Sheriff William Wood told Shaw: "You made a very promising start to your young life. You are not alone in suffering difficulties arising from armed service.

"But not everyone goes down the path of substance misuse and a career in theft. I take into account the duration of this spree, from May to October 2015."

Shaw stole TVs, a fishing rod, satnavs, teaching materials, a guitar and nearly £2000 pounds in cash and cheques as he broke into nine cars and a caravan park office.

Perth Sheriff Court heard the former footballer stole from people he knew and was caught in the act several times. He left his DNA and fingerprints at several of the crime scenes.

On one occasion he stole a can of Rockstar energy drink and downed some of it before hurling the can at the owner of the car he stole it from as he was being chased. He was identified by the DNA trace left on the can.

Shaw also left a trail of blood in the office at Braidhaugh Caravan Park near Crieff after he injured himself ripping two TVs off the wall. He was later spotted on CCTV carrying one of the flat-screen TVs on to a bus.

Shaw, of Perth, admitted a total of 11 charges relating to offences which took place in Perth and Crieff between May 30 and October 11 last year. The court heard he was on bail at the time of the offences.

Fiscal depute Sue Ruta told the court Shaw was caught rummaging around in one car by the owner and told him: "It's your fault, it was open."

She said: "The owner formed the opinion he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs because his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet."

Solicitor David Duncan, defending, said: "Mr Shaw has indicated to me that he has previously been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder."

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