A MAN who stole a car from outside a house in Clydebank has been spared a prison sentence.

Dean Cartwright appeared in court on Friday for sentencing after admitting stealing the vehicle, house keys, car keys and a telephone from a property in Onslow Road, Drumry on July 30.

The 26-year-old also admitted driving the stolen vehicle without insurance and failing to provide two specimens of breath to determine his ability to drive whilst at Clydebank police station.

Fiscal depute Craig Wainwright told Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday that at 10.30pm on July 30, the car’s owner came home after walking her dog, noting as she did so that her car was parked outside the building.

At around 11.30pm she put her children to bed and and went to the kitchen to check her mobile phone. She could not see her mobile, she searched and after a short time she asked her husband to call it. After three attempts it went to answer phone.

The woman then realised her car keys and car were no longer there and the police were called and asked to go the house.

An officer was driving home along Glasgow Road when he observed the woman’s car and followed it. Further police were notified and also followed the vehicle.

Police activated their blue lights and positioned their vehicle in front of the Corsa before stopping it.

They observed the accused in the drivers seat, they detected alcohol and instructed him to exit the vehicle.

The accused was unsteady and needed assistance standing.

Around 12.15am the accused was asked for a specimen of breath. He was arrested and taken to Clydebank police station where he was locked in a cell.

He was asked to provide two more specimens of breath on another device. He refused and wouldn’t leave the cell.

He was then cautioned and charged.

Cartwright’s defence solicitor told the court: “He has been in and out of custody all his adult life.

“He is aware of the position he has put himself in. He is young and there is time for him to turn it around. He is ashamed of his actions and his criminal past.”

Cartwright, of Kennishead Avenue, Glasgow, wrote a letter to the court which Sheriff Linda Smith read before passing sentence.

Sheriff Smith said: “This is a chance you are getting here. We will be keeping a close eye on you.”

Cartwright was put under supervision for 18 months and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, to be completed in nine months.

A review was set for September 21 and he was disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Cartwright’s pleas of not guilty to two other charges – driving unaccompanied with only a provisional licence, and failing to co-operate with a roadside breath test – were accepted by the Crown.