A BUILDER who used the Auto Trader website to steal cars so he could pay loan sharks has been jailed.
Alan Boulter, 23, stole eight cars worth almost £50,000 from in and around Edinburgh between May and September. He got away with a £10,000 Audi TT, a £6,000 Honda Civic and a £12,000 Volkswagen Golf, among others. He said he stole the cars to pay o
ff debts after borrowing money from "the wrong people" to help his building business.
Yesterday, a sheriff dismissed his claim that he was forced into the thefts. James Scott, said that, while it was difficult to ignore threats, Boulter should have turned to the law, rather than crime.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court had heard that Boulter would call up people or firms selling cars through the website. He would then go to their home or garage, or arrange to meet them in a car park, and ask to be shown the vehicle.
But, with the engine running, Boulter would bide his time before asking for a test drive or for people to check something outside the car. As soon as he was alone in the vehicle, he would drive off.
Boulter also admitted several charges of driving without insurance and while disqualified. In another incident, he used a stolen cheque book to pay for a car, as well as cashing a £920 payment from the book. He also had also stolen fuel and licence plates before he was arrested on other matters on 10 October.
Mr Scott sentenced Boulter to 16 months on 37 charges, as well as disqualifying him from holding or obtaining a licence for eight years.
