And finally…bumbling thief jailed after breaking into RBS branch by mistake

Armed with a bag of tools, Michael Smith of Aberdeen’s Caperstown Crescent clambered onto the Royal Bank of Scotland branch on the city’s Albyn Place to cut his way through the roof.

However, after lowering himself down he found himself trapped in a sealed cage surrounded by cash machines and deafening alarms.

Police units quickly arrived as Smith attempted to shimmy back up through the roof from whence he came and make his getaway.

But he was not quick enough and was apprehended minutes later following a brief chase through the city’s streets.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard yesterday how 35-year-old Smith had been out with a friend in his mother’s car looking for a property to rob when his ill-informed accomplice told him the nondescript rear of the branch was in fact a garage.

On this advice, he took a set of tools including a knife onto the roof to cut a hole.

It was only when he lowered himself inside he realised he’d been given a bum steer.

Smith confessed to breaking into the bank with the intent to rob and being in possession of a blade on December 25 last year.

He was jailed for 20 months.