Jail for car dealer who drove stolen Audi S5

A car trader has been jailed for two years after admitting receiving a stolen £22,500 Audi which was taken in a burglary.
An Audi S5 similar to the one stolen.An Audi S5 similar to the one stolen.
An Audi S5 similar to the one stolen.

Ashley Wilding, 30, also admitted a dangerous driving incident in Morecambe in which seven people were spotted piling into a car and failing to stop for police, reaching speeds of 80mph in a 20mph zone.

Wilding, of Tudor Avenue in Penwortham, was caught out when his girlfriend crashed the car and wrote it off.

He also admitted charges of driving without insurance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Judge Mukhtar Hussain, who imposed a three-year ban said they were “serious and professional” offences.Prosecuting at Preston’s Sessions House Court, Kimberley Obrusik said: “On June 22, 2015 there was a dwelling burglary at the home of a Mr and Mrs Gaskell, during which an Audi S5 convertible was stolen. It had been bought only 10 days earlier and was valued at £22,500.

“It was not until August 23 that the vehicle was located. The defendant’s partner, who was driving the vehicle, had collided with a tree and the vehicle was written off.

“The vehicle was seized and upon examination was found to have stickers over the VIN numbers with incorrect VIN numbers. Quite obviously it had been tampered with.”

The day after his police interview Wilding was involved in a dangerous driving incident in Morecambe after CCTV operatives spotted seven people piling into a car - including the boot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Obrusik said: “An officer approached the car and it failed to stop.

“It had no lights on despite it being 3.10am.

“He illuminated his lights and began to give chase but was unable to catch it - it was reaching 80mph in a 20mph zone.”

Defending, John Woodward, said Wilding “dabbles with the trade via e-Bay and Auto Trader” and had been trying to impress his new flame.

Related topics: