Lout fled after letting Merc roll down street
Girlfriend’s rented flash motor crashed into another car
A chancer who took his girlfriend’s rented Mercedes for a spin while she slept let it roll down a street before legging it.
Daniel Nicholson took the opportunity on June 11 to give the luxury motor a test drive after Adelle Campbell fell asleep.
But, when he parked up on a Paisley street and exited the motor, it began to roll down the hill, crashing into another car.
Procurator fiscal depute Caitlin O’Hare told the town’s sheriff court this week: “On June 10, Adelle Campbell rented a grey Mercedes Benz from Europcar, with the rental due to expire on July 8.
“On June 11, Nicholson was in his partner Adelle’s Belmont Road home and went she went to sleep.
“Nicholson took the Mercedes car keys, with Ms Campbell not realising he had taken them, and he drove the car without her consent.
“Nicholson stopped the car on a Paisley street and exited the vehicle.
“At this time, he kicked the car wheel and it began to roll down the street.
“Nicholson stood in front of the car in an attempt to stop, it but jumped out of the way and it rolled down the hill.
“Nicholson made off and made no attempt to inform police or report the matter.
“The incident was witnessed by a Mr Dougall, who contacted police about a collision.
“The car had rolled down the hill and crashed into another car before coming to a stop.
“On June 20, police attended at Adelle Campbell’s property when she stated that Nicholson had been driving the car.
“On July 22, police were at Cathcart Police Station where Nicholson was present for another matter and at this point he said, ‘Aye it was me.’
“He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”
Paisley Sheriff Court also heard that, a month prior to the joyride, Nicholson went on a stealing spree at a supermarket in the town.
Ms O’Hare said that, on May 30, Nicholson stole £119.57 of meat and razor blades from Lidl, in Renfrew Road.
Nicholson pleaded guilty to stealing the car and the items from Lidl, which were all fully recovered.
Defence agent Jim Clark insisted Nicholson, 26, wanted to change his ways, and added that the couple have now split up.
He said: “In the past, he has fallen off the horse, but he understands what is required of him to comply with a community-based order.
“He’s determined he wants to change things.”
Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill said: “It would be very easy to impose a custodial sentence for these complaints I have before me.
“But I am willing to give you another chance to comply with a community-based order.”
Nicholson, of Melvick Place, Glasgow, was placed under supervision for two years and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within two years as a direct alternative to custody.
Sheriff Gill also imposed nine penalty points on his driving licence for stealing the car.
Caitlin O’Hare