Sunderland man stole former partner's car a year after they split
A Sunderland man stole his former partner’s car from outside her city home a year after they split by using a key he had kept, a court heard.
Steven Watson, 36, drove the VW Tiago away late on Saturday, August 2, or early the next day – leaving her to wake to an empty parking space.
A month later, on Saturday, September 6, Watson, of Pensher Street, Millfield, was caught driving the vehicle by police who saw its registration plate resting against a window.
Prosecutor Laura Croft said he was unsteady on his feet after being pulled over in Ailesbury Street, also Millfield.
She revealed he also appeared docile, and officers could smell booze – and a roadside breath test put him over the alcohol limit.
In a statement read to magistrates in South Tyneside, the victim said his actions in pinching her car had left her “absolutely shocked”.
The woman also said she had never considered Watson capable of such an act, confirmed their relationship had ended a year earlier, and added, “I don’t want the car back”.
Watson pleaded guilty to charges of theft of a motor vehicle, drink driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Magistrates adjourned the case for an all-options report, meaning he could be jailed when he returns to the same court to be sentenced on Tuesday, March 10.
Ms Croft said: “The complainant is the defendant’s ex-partner. She describes leaving her car parked outside her address on a communal driveway.
“She went in and spent the rest of the night inside and woke up the next morning and realised that her vehicle had been removed.
“She believes that the defendant has had a key that he had during their relationship and that he had used that key.”
Of the driving matters, she added: “He then comes to the attention of police while driving that vehicle in September.
“The officer describes the vehicle as having its VRN plate up against a window, which is what precipitated the stop.
“The defendant was described as being docile, unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol. A roadside breath test was failed.
“The most serious offence is the taking of the motor vehicle. There was planning in going to the address and taking the vehicle.”
Watson gave a reading in breath for alcohol of 67mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.
He has 22 previous convictions from 33 offences, with no driving matters recorded but five thefts and was last before a court in 2019 for battery.
Emily Baker Harrington, defending, said: “Mr Watson has not been before a court for some time, seven years.
“I suggest the court will want an update before moving to the point of sentence.”
Magistrates imposed an interim driving ban on Watson and granted him unconditional bail.