Sunderland man recognised by his jacket after smashing Porsche window

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

Aaron Richardson, 31, broke a window of a Porsche Boxster in Ashbrooke, Sunderland, in the early hours of Thursday, November 5.

The car’s alarm alerted a resident who went outside and spotted Richardson, of Ridley Terrace, Hendon, Sunderland, and a pal on their cycles.

Richardson shouted he was not to blame and made off – but CCTV showed him also gaining entry to a second vehicle, a Range Rover.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard police reviewed the footage and identified him due to his distinctive jacket.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said a resident was at home in Ashbrooke when he heard the car alarm.

She added: “He recognised it as being from his partner’s Porsche Boxster. He saw that the driver side window had been smashed.

“He checked CCTV footage and he sees two males on bikes. One male smashes the window. Both men made off.

“He went outside and searched for them and he sees the one on the CCTV as smashing the window, due to his distinctive jacket.”

Mrs Beck added: “The footage was viewed by officers. They also see that same male entering a Range Rover.

“Items had been moved but nothing noticeable was taken from inside.

“The officers see it is the same male and recognise him as being Mr Richardson.”

In a victim statement read to the court, the man said: “I feel violated and physically shaken that someone has done this.”

Syed Ahmed, defending Richardson, said: “He has shown genuine remorse and he’s extremely sorry for what he’s done.

“This is a man with significant drug and alcohol problems which have been ongoing for some time.”

The court heard Richardson was subject to a community order for burglary and theft, and subject to a post-sentence supervision order, when he committed his latest crime.

Deputy District Judge Gary Garland said it had been a “close shave” awarding Richardson bail but had been swayed by a positive Probation Service report.

Richardson, who pleaded guilty to attempted theft from a vehicle and vehicle interference, was granted bail to be sentenced on Friday, December 4.