Suspended sentence for father found behind wheel of stolen car
A father-of-two was found at the wheel of a stationary stolen car seven days after it had been taken in a burglary.
Brendan Russell was in the driver's seat of the Dacia Logan with key in the ignition and the engine running in the early hours of July 14, a jury heard.
Vehicle recognition cameras had revealed that the 15-Reg plate estate – reported stolen in a car key burglary on July 6 – was being driven round the Wolverhampton area, the city's Crown Court heard.
Police looking for the vehicle found it parked by the side of the road in Fourth Avenue, Low Hill and 27-year-old Russell, who had a previous conviction for handling a stolen car and for burglary, was the only occupant. said Miss Joanne Barker, prosecuting.
Mr Nayan Patel, defending, said: "He was walking to withdraw money from a cash point when a friend pulled up alongside him in the car, threw him the keys and said 'look after this.'
"The defendant asked if he could take it for a drive and very foolishly got into the vehicle. He was sat in the car with the engine running when the police arrived. The vehicle was recovered undamaged and returned to the owner."
Labourer Russell, of Woden Road, Heath Town, pleaded guilty to handling the stolen car and was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months with a two-month night-time curfew.
Judge Amjad Nawaz said: "You came across this car through an acquaintance and asked to borrow it but were apprehended before you could drive it.
"You have previous convictions for burglary, theft and handling but have been offence-free since 2013. There is some suggestion that you are changing your ways and so I will give you a chance to prove that you can remain in the community while abiding by the law."
