MOTORBIKES worth almost £20,000 were stolen during a break-in at a business near Gowkhall.

Brian Taylor, 34, of Woodburn Drive, Dalkeith, appeared back in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.

He previously admitted that on April 14, last year he broke into the premises of Marshall Motorcycles, Carnock Road, and stole four motorbikes.

The court was told the four bikes were all owned by different people and had been handed in at the garage in the days leading up to the thefts.

CCTV pictures showed Taylor and another person at the doors of the garage. The bikes were then wheeled out in the early hours of the morning,

One bike valued at £3,000 was recovered. However, the other three – valued at £10,000, £3000 and £3000 – were not.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said the registration of a hired vehicle used in the raid could be seen on the CCTV which led to his client being identified by the police.

He added: “Those associated with the business made their own inquiries with the hire company and got his address.

“They went to his home, discussions took place and summary justice was meted out with something of a beating.

“He wasn’t aware initially of what was going to take place with the motorbikes.

“He was intimidated by the others involved. He had fallen in with a crowd and thought they were his friends.

“He’s ashamed, disgusted and extremely remorseful. He made no financial gain whatsoever.

“He was genuinely fearful of the individuals involved and had been stabbed in the posterior by one of them in a previous incident.”

Sheriff William Gilchrist said he accepted that Taylor had been “taken advantage of by others”.

He imposed a six-month restriction of liberty order and a community payback order with 12 months of supervision.