Man took keys from golf bag and stole car containing a wedding ring from outside hotel at Templepatrick
A man who took keys from a golf bag and walked round a car park clicking them to see which vehicle they belonged to, found the vehicle and stole it, a court was told.
The 32-year-old was convicted of stealing a Volkswagen Passat at the Hilton Hotel near Templepatrick village on May 26 2024.
Stuart Patchett, with an address listed as Templeton Park, Templepatrick, admitted driving while disqualified and being uninsured.
Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, was previously told hotel staff saw Patchett leaving in the Passat.
The court heard a short time earlier the defendant had been in the restaurant but was asked to leave after previously being "banned" from the hotel.
CCTV showed Patchett walking round a car park pressing keys to try to see which vehicle they belonged to.
The stolen vehicle was subsequently found in the Ballycraigy area of Antrim.
He had originally been put on Probation for two years for the offences but he was back before the court on Tuesday (October 27), via video link from prison, and had the Probation Order revoked.
Tuesday's court was told items missing from the stolen car included bank cards, a mobile phone, a wedding ring, a handbag and clothing. The defendant had 68 convictions including possession of drugs with intent to supply.
A defence barrister said the defendant is on a prescription for "his substance misuse problem and is addressing the ongoing issues with alcohol which has been a feature of his life".
He had engaged with Probation but it "fell off", the court heard.
District Judge Nigel Broderick revoked the Probation and replaced it with a five-month jail term.