A chancer who drove his ex-partner’s motor without her permission dodged his sentencing because he is in Lanzarote.
Dean Stayne, 30, sneaked away from outside Nicola McGregor’s home in Foxbar in her Kia Rio on May 1.
Stayne was later busted driving around the town without a licence or insurance.
He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court from custody earlier this month where he pleaded guilty to charges of driving the vehicle without the owner’s consent and driving it without a licence or insurance.
Stayne also admitted to breaking conditions of bail twice by approaching or contacting his partner on May 3 and June 3.
His sentencing had been deferred to call for background reports, when it emerged that he had not turned up to face the music.
Defence agent Jim Clark said: “He is not present at court, your Lordship.
“I am afraid this means this young man has been ‘swinging the lead’.
“He has called me a couple of times from Lanzarote.
“It seems his grandmother has been unwell and he went over there to see her.
“I have warned him that he will likely be arrested on his return.”
The court heard Stayne’s parents live in the Canary Islands, along with his gran, and he decided to travel there, despite being told about his court appearance.
Mr Clark added: “He has remained in telephone contact.
“And I recollect warning him about his attendance at court.
“Unfortunately, given the manner of things, he has been ‘swinging the lead’, as the phrase goes.”
Sheriff Eoin McGinty immediately issued a warrant for Stayne’s arrest, meaning he is likely to be lifted at the airport when his flight gets in later this week.
He said: “Warrant granted in respect of this matter.”
Previously, he promised he would not break conditions of his bail when he was freed from custody on June 15.
The court heard Stayne, who is in the process of separating from Ms McGregor, was caught using her car to drive around Paisley.
He had been going to the house to see their children, and feed their dog, despite the court’s order banning him from entering or contacting his former partner.
