A brazen thief was caught sitting in the driver’s seat of a man’s car after he made a flying visit to a shop.
The stunned owner clocked Ian Hendry, 53, behind the wheel holding his cigarettes on Panmure Street on New Year’s Day.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard the man was only in the shop for a few minutes before returning to find Hendry in the vehicle.
Prosecutor Christine Allan said: “The witness shouted for help and took hold of the accused. A member of staff called the police. The accused stated ‘I put everything back that I stole.’”
Hendry, a prisoner at HMP Perth, became aggressive after being arrested and stated he would find out where the officers lived.
He shouted: “I’m going to kick your c*** in,” before assaulting officers after refusing to co-operate with a strip search while at police headquarters on West Bell Street.
Hendry previously pleaded guilty to entering the unlocked car on Panmure Street on January 1 and stealing cigarettes and money.
He then shouted, swore, made offensive remarks and acted aggressively. He also admitted struggling violently with and seizing the clothing of PCs Leighton Davidson, Steven Rae and Gavin Harris.
Defence solicitor Douglas Thomson said Hendry had fallen into drug misuse and had not worked for a period of time.
Jailing Hendry for six months, Sheriff George Way said: “It must have been quite a fright for the individual concerned.”
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