[visordown.com] - Motorcycle thief turns himself in

[Ninjette Newsbot]

A HOMELESS man who stole a motorcycle has turned himself in after feeling guilty.

Matthew Gardiner, 42, spotted the motorcycle in a city centre on December 21.

After realising the owner had left the keys inside the helmet, he rode away on the motorcycle with no licence or insurance.

Gardiner eventually turned himself in at Parkside police station.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said: “It was the defendant himself who turned up at Parkside police station later and said he had a pang of conscience.

“He admitted the offence and that he had no insurance or licence, and told police where they could find the bike.”

Gardiner explained to the police that the clutch lever was damaged after he allowed his friend to ride it up and down the road.

After appearing in Cambridge Magistrates’ Court, the 42 year old Scot was jailed after admitting to seven offences.

Gardiner pleaded guilty to further thefts of Marks and Spencer Champagne and Prosecco (£40), two bottles of Jack Daniel’s whisky (£66), and six packs of Co-operative steak (£35).

He also pleaded guilty to two other thefts in which he was caught stealing fragrances from Debenhams and several packs of razors from Boots.

Monica Lentin, mitigating, said: “He has been in Cambridge for the last four months, and has received help from Winter Comfort. He is a chronic alcoholic.”

Gardiner has been disqualified from driving for a year and sentenced to 24 weeks in custody, 14 for theft of a motorcycle and 10 for the shoplifting offences.





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