A MAN who pleaded guilty to the aggravated taking and damaging of a Volkswagen Polo has been sentenced by magistrates in Cornwall. 

Adrian Gould, aged 48, of Church Street in St Columb Minor, appeared in front of magistrates at Truro Magistrates' Court on Monday, February 5 on one count of Aggravated vehicle taking and property damage under £5000. 

The offence took place on March 23, 2023, in Falmouth where Gould, without the consent of the owner, or other lawful authority, took a Volkswagen Polo for the use of himself or another and, after the vehicle was unlawfully taken and before it was recovered, caused damage to a value of less than £5,000. 

Gould pleaded guilty to the offence on Monday, February 5, 2024 and, during his sentencing, was fined £200 and disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for a period of 12 months.

Gould was also made to pay costs to the to Crown Prosecution Service of £85 as well as a surcharge of £80. 

According to the Sentencing Council, the maximum sentence for this kind of offence is a Level 5 fine and/or six months custody. If tried on indictment, the maximum sentence raises to two years' custody.