A DRUG addict sneak thief who crept into an unlocked Greenock home and stole car keys before helping himself to £500 worth of tools from vehicles could be spared punishment for the offences.

Patrick Flynn, 42, targeted an Audi S5, a BMW and a Honda Civic in a series of nighttime thieving and attempted theft raids to fund his substance addiction, the sheriff court was told.

He roamed between Dunlop Street, Columba Street and Gateside Grove overnight between March 16 and 17, 2021, gaining access to the Audi and Honda, and trying the door handle of the BMW.

A sheriff has chosen not to pass sentence on Flynn, of Lyle Street, and has instead ordered him to be of good behaviour for three months before deciding on how to dispose of the case.

Procurator fiscal depute Fergus Warner told the court: "The first witness left their vehicle parked and secured [in Dunlop Street] and left two sets of keys in the hallway of their house. The door was unsecured.

"The keys were later discovered to be missing and tools were gone from the boot of the car. The key was recovered nearby.

"Another witness parked their vehicle at night [in Columba Street] and all was in order. The vehicle was unsecured.

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"The witness returned to the vehicle and noticed a number of tools had been taken from it.

"Another vehicle was parked and secured on March 16 in Gateside Grove. On March 17 the owner viewed CCTV and noted that the accused was seen trying to open the door of the vehicle."

The fiscal depute said the latter witness reported the incident to police and Flynn was identified from the footage, arrested and charged.

The value of the theft from the Honda vehicle was £532, the court was told.

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Defence solicitor Aidan Gallagher said: "The offences were committed for one purpose only and that was for funds for an addiction."

Sheriff Colin Bissett said a positive criminal justice social work report and a progress update on a separate community payback order (CPO) suggested 'some hope of making a difference and rehabilitating' Flynn.

The sheriff told him: "It is still an open question, however.

"If you don't put in effort [with the CPO] then all options remain open."

Sentence was deferred until December 6 for Flynn to be of good behaviour.