A MAN who stole a car from Dalry Railway Station before being chased by police has been jailed.


David McGibbon, 29, posed as a buyer for the car on January 7 this year.
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how the owner of the car, a Mr Smith, met McGibbon at the station car park at around 2.10pm for McGibbon to test drive the vehicle.


The pair had conversed over a website about McGibbon buying the car.
After the test drive, the pair returned to the station where the owner left the car.


But a brazen McGibbon sped off behind the wheel.


Police were contacted with the helicopter and various units asked to look out for the car.


At this point of the narration of facts, presiding Sheriff Derek Livingston quipped: “Mr Smith must have been a very important man.”
McGibbon then drove into the car park of Morrison’s in Napier Street, Johnstone, driving through two red lights and crossing to the opposite side of a carriageway in Burrochan Street at high speed in the process.


The car park was busy with pedestrians and vehicles at the time.
McGibbon abandoned the car near the entrance to the supermarket.


He was apprehended by police a short time later where it was revealed he did not have a valid insurance policy.


McGibbon committed the offences while on bail from both Glasgow and Paisley Sheriff Courts.


When appearing at court last week, McGibbon, of Johnstone’s Elm Drive, pled guilty.


His solicitor, Mr McKinnon, revealed McGibbon suffers from a drug problem but said he was fully aware a custodial sentence would be in Sheriff Livingston’s mind.


Mr McKinnon said McGibbon’s social work indicated a drug treatment testing order would benefit his client.


But Sheriff Livingston said McGibbon’s offence was nothing to do with any drug issues.


McGibbon was frequently vocal from the dock, stating openly to his solicitor that he committed the offence in order to buy drugs.


Sheriff Livingston was unimpressed with McGibbon’s antics and sentenced him to 10 months in prison as well as banning him from the roads for four years.


McGibbon shook his head as the sentence was handed out and said: “Prison isn’t helping me, you’re just sending me back with my pals.”