AN "opportunistic" car thief who stole from the forecourt of an Ayrshire dealership - while banned from the roads - has been jailed.

Duncan Johnstone appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday, October 29, and pleaded guilty to three charges in relation to the incident.

He admitted stealing from a garage on Dean Street in Kilmarnock, as well as driving while disqualified and not insured to do so.

The 35-year-old had been handed a six-year disqualification just one year prior to the incident on April 1 this year, procurator fiscal depute Craig Wainwright told the court.

On the day in question, at around 3pm, the dealership's manager was on duty when they realised that a grey Vauxhall Insignia was missing from the forecourt.

They then reviewed CCTV footage of the area which showed Johnstone looking inside the vehicle around half an hour earlier.

He was then observed entering the car, with the keys within the vehicle due to staff being due to move it, before driving off.

The manager then made a post on Facebook asking for the public to assist them with finding the stolen Vauxhall.

Information was then disclosed to them that Johnstone, who is described as an inmate at HMP Kilmarnock, was in the Castlepark area of Irvine.

The garage manager then headed to this location where they were able to trace the 35-year-old who was sitting within the driver's seat of the vehicle.

Police were contacted, however, as Johnstone looked to leave the manager tried to follow the vehicle.

They rolled down their own window and shouted towards him that they "knew the car was stolen" before continuing to pursue Johnstone towards Caldon Road.

Police then arrived on the scene and traced both Johnstone, who was arrested, and the vehicle.

Officers later reviewed the dealership's CCTV footage which clearly confirmed that Johnstone had committed the theft.

They were also able to discover his previous driving ban before he was officially cautioned and charged - to which he replied "apologies".

He appeared in court the following day and has been remanded in custody in relation to the offence.

Defending, solicitor Peter Murray admitted that there was "no explanation" for the offence.

He added: "It was opportunistic. The vehicle was left in the forecourt with the keys in and ignition running.

"He happened to be passing by and took the opportunity to enter the vehicle and take it. The purpose was to get him to Irvine."

Sheriff George Jamieson sentenced Johnstone to 12 months imprisonment, backdated to his initial remand on April 2.

He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of two years - though this will have no impact to him as his current ban is not set to expire until April 2029.