Man jailed for stealing car from Christian trust who took him in
A man has been banned from driving for life and jailed for eight months after stealing a car and driving it while already disqualified.
Andrew Paul Ridsdale, 48, from 26 Mannville Terrace, Bradford, admitted stealing the car on November 5 from Craig Lodge – a ‘house of prayer’ that offers retreats.
Ridsdale was sentenced at Oban Sheriff Court on Wednesday November 6, where he admitted the offences, as well as driving without insurance.
Procurator fiscal David Glancy told the court: ‘The vehicle is the property of Craig Lodge Trust in Dalmally – a charitable Christian trust offering refuge for people seeking spiritual guidance.
‘At some point of Monday of this week, the accused presented himself telling one of the helpers there he was homeless.’
Ridsdale was given a room for the night and at 2.45am a vehicle raised suspicions with a passing police car, as the driver cancelled the indicator and did a U-turn upon seeing the police.
The police officer followed the car’s direction and within 10 minutes found it abandoned.
After tracing the car back to Craig Lodge, police were notified that the accused was no longer there and his possessions were gone.
At 4.45am a number of police officers observed a male walking in Ballachullish, who matched the suspect’s description.
He was arrested and admitted he had been driving.
In his defence, solicitor Kevin McGinness said his client had planned to return to Bradford the following morning, but woke up at 11.30pm and could not get back to sleep.
‘He went downstairs and found himself in the laundry room, saw the rack of keys, and opportunistically took possession and stole the vehicle and drove it without insurance.’
Sheriff Patrick Hughes told Risdale, who had a long list of previous convictions, that he has never seen a record like his.
Sheriff Hughes said it was not only theft, but a breach of trust and a show of ingratitude.
Ridsdale, who was already serving a lifetime ban from holding or obtaining a driving licence, was again banned for life and sentenced to a total of eight months in prison.