Lennon bomb plot witness swiped car

A paranoid criminal who gave evidence in the Neil Lennon bomb plot case claims he nicked a motor as he feared for his life.

Alastair Wardrop, 38, of Barrhead, was the key Crown witness in the 2012 trial of Neil McKenzie, 48, and Trevor Muirhead, 49.

McKenzie and Muirhead were each jailed for five years for sending suspect packages to then- Celtic manager Lennon and two other high-profile fans of the club - former MSP Trish Godman and the late Paul McBride QC.

It was reported Wardrop was branded “a grass” by other inmates and was beaten up in Kilmarnock Prison just weeks after the pair were found guilty in April 2012 and he has feared revenge ever since.

Paisley Sheriff Court court heard he was still suffering emotionally from his involvement in the Lennon case - and that it had led to him breaking the law again.

He appeared in the dock to be sentenced for stealing a Nissan Micra from the Glasgow suburb of Newton Mearns - and rallying it through the streets of Eaglesham dangerously while disqualified and uninsured.

Defence solicitor Gordon Ritchie explained: “He is someone who, when at liberty, suffers from paranoia.

“He was the principle witness in the prosecution case and that high-profile trial involved a number of people who were of quite significant criminal backgrounds.

“He was fearful his life and well being were at risk.

“Really that is what was behind this incident.

“He wasn’t taking his medication and that has lead to his levels of paranoia being greater than they would have been had he been medicated - so he took the car to get away.”

Sheriff Seith Ireland ruled there was only one way he could deal with Wardrop for the offences, jailed him for 20 months and banned him from driving for six years.

He also ordered him to be returned to custody to serve the remaining 500 days of previous sentences which had yet to expire - and told him he will be supervised by social workers in the community for 10 months once released from custody.