Crook caught with stolen 4x4

A crook caught behind the wheel of a stolen 4x4 claimed he only wanted a shot of the vehicle.

Unemployed Steven Daniel was in a Range Rover Sport which costs at least £60,000.

Daniel (24), of Ferness Oval, Balornock, Glasgow, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court. He was originally accused of stealing the Range Rover from Windmill Court, Hamilton, on February 1 but the Crown accepted his guilty plea to the reduced charge of reset.

Daniel, who was on bail at the time, also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Earlier his passenger Damien Carrigan (25), of Walnut Road, Possil, was jailed for five months. He admitted going for a ride in the Range Rover, knowing the vehicle had been taken without the owner’s permission.

Paul Sweeney, defending Daniel, said: “He accepts full responsibility for his actions. He should have realised the person who offered him a shot of the Range Rover would never be in a position to own a vehicle of that value.

“He stupidly took a shot, though he had no insurance and was still disqualified. It’s utter stupidity and immaturity and he should have known better.”

Sheriff Alasdair Macfadyen told Daniel: “You are very much on the edge. This was a vehicle of considerable value and fortunately it was recovered.”

Daniel will be supervised for 18 months and must do 180 hours of unpaid work. within nine months. He will be tagged and cannot leave his home between 7pm and 7am for six months. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.