Inverness Sheriff Court still needs to see psychological report before sentencing Ullapool teenager who stole several vehicles in year-long "crime spree"
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A teenager admitted taking and driving away three motor vehicles and attempting to drive a bus.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson had previously agreed with defence solicitor Patrick O'Dea's plea to get a psychological report on David Fontes (18) before making a final decision on his sentence.
But Sheriff Gary Aitken, who presided at the latest hearing of the case, at Inverness Sheriff Court last Thursday, heard the report was still not available.
As a result the case was continued to April 1.
Previously Mr O'Dea had said he was concerned about Fontes who went on a crime spree in Ullapool, "hot-wiring" a car – to drive over 100 miles to Keith – as well as a motor cycle, and attempting to start a bus parked at the ferry car park.
This was despite already having been arrested and released on a separate careless driving charge.
Sheriff Neilson told Fontes, of Seaforth Road, Ullapool: "You seem to think this is a bit of a joke. You obviously have not learned your lesson. Do you want to go to a young offender's institution? Driving to Keith without a licence and insurance, you could have killed someone.
"And at the height of the current pandemic, I can't believe that anyone would be happy that you had been in their car."
Mr O'Dea told the court: "I am at a loss why he would carry out these offences. It seems he can cope with life but then he goes into this mode and no-one can fathom why.
Fontes admitted driving carelessly by doing "donuts" – spinning the car – in Latheron car park on December 29, 2019.
He also pleaded guilty to attempting to take and drive away a bus from Latheron car park the day after.
Then between January 1 and 2, 2020 he took and drove away a car from North Road.
Police arrested him for this offence but he then took and drove away a motor cycle from Morefield Crescent on March 21 and a car from the Morefield Hotel on November 10.
He had no licence or insurance.
After being charged he made flippant remarks to officers along the lines of: "These were fun times."
