Man in court on day he left prison (From York Press)

Andrew David Shipley in court on day he left prison

7:55am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News

A MAN appeared in court only hours after being released from prison and pleaded guilty to theft.

Andrew David Shipley, of Grange Road, Camblesforth, pleaded guilty at Selby Magistrates to one count of theft of a car following an incident which occurred last October.

Steve Ovenden, prosecuting, said Shipley, 32, had agreed to carry out minor repairs to an MG Rover, belonging to Keith Salt, which was left at his home.

The court heard when Shipley tried to contact Mr Salt to ask him to retrieve the car, which would not start and had no tax or MoT, he could not be reached despite regular attempts to phone him. In the meantime, Shipley’s landlord and neighbours began to complain about the car being left outside his house, and after four weeks, he contacted a local scrap dealer to remove the vehicle, for which he received £80.

Chris McGrogan, for Shipley, said his client had been released from prison in Northallerton on the morning of the hearing on Thursday, February 28, and had “hot-footed it” to Selby to face magistrates.

Mr McGrogan said his client accepts he should not have got rid of the car, and “did what he felt he could” to contact the owner of the vehicle, but when he was unable to after four weeks, felt he had to get rid of the vehicle.

Magistrate Ruth Stanley praised Shipley’s attendance, and said they did not accept the vehicle was worth £600, as the charge claimed.

She said: “From what we understand, the only money that was gained in this scenario was £80 when the car was scrapped.

“We acknowledge the fact you have made the effort to get here this morning, considering you were only released this morning, and that is to your credit.”

Shipley was ordered to pay £40 compensation.