Car thief caught thanks to McDonald's receipt

A "prolific" car thief has been sentenced to three years in prison after being identified by a McDonald's receipt, police have said.

Callum Roberts, 20, of HMP Brinsford near Wolverhampton pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, fraud by false representation, driving without insurance, and two counts of driving while disqualified.

He was sentenced on Thursday at Shrewsbury Crown Court, where he was also give a four-year and two month driving ban, to begin upon release.

West Mercia Police said he stole two cars in Shrewsbury within weeks of each other.

The court heard that Roberts took the first car - a silver BMW - from a car park near to St Julian's Crescent in the town on the evening of Saturday 15 February.

About two hours later, traffic officers spotted the car and followed it.

Roberts reached speeds of about 60mph in a 30mph zone, and narrowly missed colliding with another vehicle.

After losing sight of the officers, the car was abandoned in Roden.

Upon searching the car for evidence, police found a McDonald's bag with a receipt inside, showing that the driver had been to the Meole Brace branch of the restaurant, shortly after taking the vehicle.

CCTV enquiries meant they were able to establish Roberts as the driver.

About two weeks later on Sunday 1 March, police received a report that car keys for a Citroen C3 Aircross had been stolen from an address on Brougham Square.

The following night, the thief returned and took the car.

On Wednesday 5 March, the car was spotted by officers, and another high-speed chase ensued.

The car reached speeds of about 60mph in a 20mph zone and travelled the wrong way around a roundabout, before joining the A5 on the wrong carriageway where it narrowly avoided a HGV.

The car stopped in a layby and Roberts fled before being arrested.

An investigation found that Roberts had fraudulently used bank cards belonging to the owner of the Citroen, to buy a McDonald's shortly after the vehicle was reported stolen.

"Not only was he driving stolen vehicles, Roberts was aware that he was driving whilst disqualified and his willingness to engage in such risk taking to evade capture on two separate occasions is something that caused officers great concern," said Det Cons Tom Clough.

"I am pleased with the sentence at court, which I hope gives the victims some sort of closure, as well as time for Roberts to reflect on how dangerous his actions were, which could have had tragic consequences given the lack of care for the safety of others and himself."

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