A notorious car thief who stole vehicles during test drives across Tayside and Fife has been jailed.
Connor Davidson would contact sellers online, start the cars and motorbikes while inspecting them and then blitz off from the scene.
The 23-year-old admitted dozens of charges dating from 2024 of stealing vehicles and fuel, as well as driving dangerously from a petrol station.
His lawyer claimed Davidson was stealing the cars and sleeping in them because he was homeless.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told how the 2024 crime spree happened in Dundee, Tayport, Newport, St Andrews, Leuchars, Guardbridge, Glenrothes, Methil, Kennoway, Colinsburgh, Dunfermline and Bridge of Earn.
Davidson, remanded in custody since February, stole a BMW 3 series, a Volkswagen Golf and a Yamaha XSR motorcycle worth a combined £13,700, which have never been found.
The court heard how he often used the names “Steven Robertson” and “Callum Robertson” to sellers.
He also stole an Audi A7 and two other Volkswagen Golfs worth more than £21,000 and there was no value provided for a BMW 5 series he took.
On May 26 last year, Davidson drove dangerously from the Shell garage near the Forgan roundabout by reversing at excessive speed with the driver’s door open, which collided with a petrol pump and other items, before accelerating harshly and failing to observe a “no right turn” sign.
Reports had been ordered on landscape gardener Davidson after he previously pled guilty to stealing vehicles and fuel, driving without insurance, dangerous driving and possessing a knife.
Solicitor Kevin Hampton said: “He is now serving 20 months imprisonment which was backdated to February 17.
“His earliest liberation date is in October.
“He was also remanded in respect of these complaints and the cases are all of a similar nature.
“His father passed away and he went completely off the rails. He was stealing these cars, living in these cars and was homeless.
“The knife was for work purposes and he is at pains to tell me that.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael sentenced Davidson to a total of 19 months in prison, which will not interfere with is liberation from HMP Perth.
Davidson was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and must re-sit the extended test of competency.
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