A CRUEL thief faces being deported after he broke into a Barrhead care home and stole an 83-year-old dementia sufferer’s Christmas presents.

Daniel Maka targeted Millview Care Home, in Carlibar Road, on Boxing Day in 2016.

The 38-year-old Polish immigrant had dressed up as Santa Claus to bring joy to his nephews but turned into the Grinch who stole Christmas as he staged the raid while walking back to his own home.

Once inside Millview, he swiped chocolates that had been given to Margaret Ritchie as a festive gift.

He also stole a toy box, two sets of dominoes and clothes, including a mitten emblazoned with the words ‘Queen Mum.’

The police were alerted and Maka was caught nearby – still clutching the box of Lindt luxury Swiss chocolates under his arm.

He then struggled with officers who arrested him and spat on a female cop.

Maka, of Balgray Crescent, Auchenback, Barrhead, went on trial over the claims at Paisley Sheriff Court last week.

He took to the stand to give evidence in his own defence, claiming he was not responsible for the raid and could not remember where he had got the chocolates he was caught with.

The Polish national, who gave evidence with the help of an interpreter, said through her: “I was Santa Claus and, on the 24th, I found out I was going to be a father.

“I was with my sister’s husband [that night] and was drinking some alcohol. I was to be Santa Claus for her four kids and for the whole family.

“I was walking home and the police came. I felt I was being arrested for no reason. I can’t remember where I got the chocolates. Maybe it was from my sister or maybe I bought them.”

However, a jury saw through Maka’s lies and convicted him of all four charges – behaving in a disorderly manner by shouting and swearing in Barrhead’s Main Street, assaulting PC Angela Bell by spitting on her, resisting arrest by struggling violently with her and colleague PC David Crawford and breaking into the care home and stealing from Ms Ritchie, who is now aged 85.

Maka, who is being held at Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre near Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, as he is due to be deported from the UK, was remanded in custody.

Sheriff Tom McCartney called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing and adjourned the case until next month for that to be done.