Car thief who led police on chase sentenced

A car thief who tried to evade capture by leading police on a chase has been sentenced.

Stefan Shephard stole two cars, including leading police on a dangerous pursuit in one of them, and did all of this whilst driving without a licence or insurance.

On Saturday 3 October a woman parked her white Fiat in a car park in Jackson Street, Derby, but the next morning she noticed it had gone.

CCTV from nearby properties showed two people getting into the vehicle in the middle of the night and driving off in it.

The car was later spotted by officers in a police car at an Esso Garage in Measham, Leicestershire.

However, Shephard drove off in the car at speed after noticing officers approach the forecourt.

CCTV from the petrol station was sent back to officers in Derbyshire who identified Shephard as the driver who did not have a licence or insurance.

The car was later recovered from an industrial estate in Derby on Thursday 15 October – a short walk away from Shephard’s home.

In the early hours of Tuesday 6 October a Nissan Juke, which contained a number of belongings including some Michael Kors sunglasses and an umbrella, was stolen from Werburgh Street in Derby.

On Wednesday 14 October officers located the stolen vehicle with false number plates close to Shephard’s home.

Shephard was arrested and during a search of his property officers found the stolen sunglasses and umbrella.

Ring doorbell footage also showed him driving the vehicle away from the scene.

Shephard was taken away for questioning but answered no comment during police interview.

The 30-year-old, of Alexandra Mill, Great Northern Road, Derby, was charged with two counts of vehicle theft, failing to stop and driving without a licence or insurance.

He pleaded guilty to all charges during an appearance at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 22 October and was given a community order and six points on his licence.

Police Constable Evangeline Grant, of the Neighbourhood Acquisitive Crime Team (NACT), said: “This was a joint effort between multiple officers across both the Derbyshire and Leicestershire forces and shows the true effectiveness of teamwork in policing.

“We take theft of any kind very seriously here in Derbyshire, which is why we have a dedicated department working around the clock in order to target suspects and get justice for victims.”