Car thieves snared by neighbours Cops called after duo spotted targeting vehicles
Two Paisley chancers each stole a motor then drove off together as if in ‘convoy,’ a court was told.
Hapless John Sheehan, 31, and William Moran, 45, were rumbled by householders after targeting different cars parked outside separate houses at adjacent streets in Linwood.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Sheehan first broke into a house at Berwick Crescent where he swiped the keys to a grey Peugeot 207 hatchback then climbed in and drove the car away, unaware he was being filmed on the owner’s mobile.
And Moran, who stole a white Seat Leon hatchback from outside a house at Richmond Avenue, also Linwood, got a shock when the owner raced out of her house and banged on the car’s window, while he struggled to drive away, on July 11, last year.
Fiscal depute Pamela Brady said: “The homeowner looked out her bedroom window and became aware of a male sitting within a grey Peugeot motor vehicle. “Another male was in the vicinity. “She activated her mobile phone and recorded the male who was in the driver’s seat. She watched it being driven away.
“The accused John Sheehan was identified as the male involved.”
While the fiscal added Moran also attracted the attention of the householder when he broke a kitchen window of a house at Richmond Avenue.
Ms Brady said: “In the early hours the householder was awakened by the sound of glass breaking. The witness saw it was the kitchen window.
“She became aware of a male running away from the house. She observed a male opening the door of her car parked adjacent to her house.
“He attempted to drive off, but repeatedly stalled. She made her way to towards the vehicle and struck her hand against it.
“She observed the accused William Moran who was driving.”
The court heard other witnesses had come out after becoming aware of the motors being driven off at the same time.
Yesterday Sheehan, currently serving a 32-month sentence in prison for other offences, pleaded guilty to charges of stealing the car and driving while disqualified.
While Moran, of Glencoats Avenue, in the town, admitted a charge of breaking into the house, stealing the key and then stealing the car.
Defence agent Michael McKeown representing Sheehan said: “He accepts taking the vehicle. There is no good excuse for that and he accepts his responsibility in this matter.”
Sheriff Susan Sinclair jailed him for a total of 15 months to run from the end of his present sentence.
She also disqualified him from driving or obtaining a licence for 12 months.
While defence agent John Gardener, representing Moran, said he would be reserving his submission until the court had obtained background reports.
Sheriff Sinclair adjourned sentencing Moran to call for a Criminal Justice Social Work Report.
Moran will discover his fate when he appears at court next month.