A Bedford woman whose BMW was stolen from outside her house in the middle of the night was able to tell the police where it was going.
The victim had a tracker fitter to the M4 series car which allowed her to pinpoint it from her home Pendennis Road to Wansbeck Road, two miles away.
When the police stopped the car three men got out and tried to run off, but the driver Christopher Powell, 31, fell over and was arrested, Luton crown court heard on Monday, July 13, 2020.
Powell of Alexander Road, Bedford pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, driving while disqualified, possessing cocaine, possessing heroin and having no insurance. He was jailed for a total of 28 months.
Prosecutor Terence Woods said the break-in happened just after 3am on November 10. 2019.
Although Powell said he did not go into the house to steal the car keys, he was guilty of burglary because it was a joint enterprise, said the prosecutor.
Mr Woods said: “The householder’s handbag was taken outside, the car keys were removed and used to steal her BMW M4, a relatively high-value BMW.
“The vehicle had a tracker attached and she was able to call the police and keep them up to date with its progress as it made as it was driven away. The police spotted the car within minutes. Three people got out and all of them attempted to run away.
“This defendant, who was the driver, fell over and was arrested.” He gave the officers a false name, but was identified when he was taken into custody.
When he was searched he was found to have small amounts of crack and heroin on him. In a victim personal statement the victim said the burglary had made her feel unsafe in her home. She said she randomly cries and is reluctant to go anywhere on her own.
The judge was told Powell had 46 convictions for 93 offences.
Defending, Abbe Arnold said: “At the time he was living on the street and was approached by someone he bought drugs from. He was asked to help out and was told he would be given drugs.
“He is adamant he did not go into the house. His role was to wait and drive the car.
“He was vulnerable he was homeless and drug addict and was to be paid in heroin and crack.”
She said he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and is on an isolation wing in Bedford jail for health reason.
Jailing him, Judge Barbara Mensah told him: “You may not have gone into the house, but you are as culpable as the others. The victim was at home in bed and the burglary has caused her real emotional damage.”
The judge also banned him from driving for 18 months on his release.
