A man who stole his girlfriend’s rented Mercedes and let it roll down a hill has been ordered to carry out unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.
Daniel Nicholson stole meat and razor blades from Lidl a month before crashing the car.
Procurator fiscal depute Caitlin O’Hare told Paisley Sheriff Court that on May 30, Nicholson stole £119.57 of meat and razor blades from Lidl in Renfrew Road.
Ms O’Hare explained to the court: “On June 10, witness 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.
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“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.”
Defence agent Jim Clark explained Nicholson, 26, now knows what is required of him, and explained that Ms Campbell is Nicholson’s ex-partner.
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 in 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.
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