Hogmanay housebreaker has been jailed for almost two years after stealing and crashing a £46,000 Jaguar.
Daniel Weir, who was also under the influence of both alcohol and drugs during the ill-thought-out crime spree, cowered behind a jumper as he was led to a prison van in handcuffs.
The 34-year-old clambered into a flat on Holburn Road in Aberdeen through a bedroom window while the occupants were out to celebrate the new year.
He then helped himself to jewellery, clothes, alcohol, and the keys to the Jaguar F Pace, worth £46,000.
Despite having “no skills in driving at all”, Weir jumped in the expensive vehicle and swiftly crashed it into a tree and salt grit box.
Fiscal depute Lynne MacVicar told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the woman who lives at the flat, along with her partner, had left around 7.45pm to celebrate the new year, securing the door and windows.
Shortly after the bells, the woman’s partner received a call from his mother, advising the police were at his door and suspected his car had been stolen.
‘There’s a good story for you, hen’
The couple rushed back to the flat and spotted damage to the frame around the bedroom window, where Weir had forced his way in.
The bedroom had been “turned upside down”, with cash, jewellery, containers, a passport, alcohol, clothing, headphones, electronic devices and the car keys all stolen.
Earlier that evening, around 11.10pm, witnesses saw the stolen Jag being driven “harshly and erratically” on Holburn Road, Gairn Terrace and elsewhere.
Ms MacVicar said: “It was speeding up and slowing down, albeit not in excess of the speed limit, and veering from side to side before crashing into a tree causing significant damage to the car.
“Witnesses contacted police believing that the accused was under the influence.
“The accused then reversed the car and drove down Gairn Terrace, struck a salt bin, got out of the car and took various bags out of the car.”
Police arrived “almost immediately” and officers noted Weir “smelled strongly of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and was slurring his words”.
‘Don’t let them take my picture!’
Weir, who also had a cut to his mouth, was found in possession of the car keys, headphones, jewellery, coins, and an empty mini bottle of gin.
A test confirmed Weir had cocaine in his system.
Weir, of Powis Circle, Aberdeen, pled guilty to charges of theft by housebreaking, theft of a vehicle and dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
At a previous hearing, Weir spoke to the Press & Journal reporter from the dock and said: “There’s a good story for you, hen.”
At the sentencing hearing, defence agent Neil McRobert said: “Mr Weir has had longstanding issues with both alcohol and drug misuse.
“He advises his recollection of the offences is not the clearest.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan, referring to a victim impact statement, said Weir’s crimes had had a “significant effect” on the woman whose flat he broke into.
‘Thirty-eight months in prison!?’
Mr McRobert said Weir had described himself as being “ashamed and disgusted by his actions”.
The sheriff asked: “Did I pick up in the report that he’s someone that doesn’t or can’t drive?
“The impression I got was he’s someone who possesses no skills in driving at all.”
Mr McRobert replied: “Without being flippant, the description from the witnesses would suggest that, but he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs as well.”
Addressing Weir directly, Sheriff Buchanan said: “These are serious offences and it’s plain from the terms of the victim impact statement that, for the person whose flat you broke into and stole from, she was very significantly upset and distressed by what you did.”
He described Weir’s driving as “very dangerous indeed”.
‘Wait for me, darling. I love you’
As the sheriff spoke, Weir turned towards his partner in the public gallery, who has started to cry, and said he was sorry and that he loved her.
Sheriff Buchanan jailed Weir for 23 months and banned him from driving for 38 months.
However, as Weir had not been paying attention to the sheriff, he suddenly exclaimed in shock: “Thirty-eight months in prison!?”
When it was explained that was the length of the driving ban, Weir bluntly asked: “How long am I in prison for then?”
After the sentence was repeated to him again and Weir was being led from the dock in cuffs, he turned to his partner and said: “Wait for me, darling. I love you.
“Don’t let them take my picture!”
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