Glasgow man jailed over west end car theft
A Glasgow man stole who stole a car was caught when the vehicle’s tracker device lead police straight to him.
A Glasgow man stole who stole a car was caught when the vehicle’s tracker device lead police straight to him.
John Devine, 27, demanded James Watson, 32, get out of his Vauxhall Astra in Glasgow’s west end and drove off with it.
But the Arnold Clarke vehicle had a tracker device that lead police straight to Devine as he filled up with petrol.
He ran off but was caught by officers and claimed: “I didn’t steal it, I was borrowing it.”
Devine, from North Kelvinside, Glasgow, pled guilty at the city’s sheriff court to demanding the car from Mr Watson and robbing him of it on December 2, last year.
And, to driving without insurance.
Sheriff Sam Cathcart jailed him for 10 months and 15 days and disqualified him from driving for nine months.
The court heard that around 8.30am Mr Watson parked up on Hopehill Road to go to the nearby Arnold Clarke dealership where he is the manager.
A car valeter with the company, Kenneth Haigh was on the same road at the time of the incident.
Procurator fiscal depute John Bedford said: “Mr Watson turned off the ignition and at this point Devine then opened the driver’s door and stated to Mr Watson to get out the vehicle.
“Mr Watson exited his vehicle and Devine entered the driver’s seat.
“He then started the engine with the keys that were left in the ignition then drove off.”
This was witnessed by Mr Haigh who was nearby. He saw Mr Watson standing in the middle of the road and later told police he looked “shocked and bewildered.”
Mr Watson said to him “My car has just been stolen”.
Mr Bedford added: “It was established that Mr Watson’s vehicle was fitted with a tracking system.
“It was activated and tracked the movements of the vehicle.
“The vehicle was tracked driving in to the Bishopbriggs area and eventually it was stationary within a petrol station on Kirkintilloch Road.”
When Devine spotted police he ran off, leaving the car and keys behind.
After a short pursuit he told officers “Aye fair enough, you got me.”
When he was taken to the police station he claimed he had taken a number of pills and was then moved to hospital.
Devine made a number of statements to police including “I didn’t steal it, I was borrowing it” and “I was only the passenger but I will take the derry for it”.
When he was cautioned and charged for the offence he made no reply.