A garage owner turned detective to track down a customer's car which was stolen in a Christmas Day raid on his yard.
Matthew Welham broke into the repair shop after scouting it on Christmas Eve and the owner recognised him as a former customer and suspected he had carried out the raid.
Garage man Derek Palmer went in search of the stolen Vauxhall Astra near Welham's home in Exwick and found it in a car park, disguised by new plates, paintwork and stickers.
Welham, aged 26, of Farm Hill, Exwick, admitted burglary and taking the Astra without consent and was jailed for four months, suspended for two years and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid community work by Judge Simon Carr at Exeter Crown Court.
The Judge said the only reason Welham was not going straight to jail was that he has recently been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
He told him:"The premises were targeted and the offence was carried out with some planning and professionalism. You have an appalling criminal record for dishonest and violence.
"Your diagnosis of ADHD does not mean you should not take responsibility for your own actions."
Miss Janice Eagles, prosecuting, said the Astra, which had personalised plates, had been left at Mr Palmer's garage in Rackfield, Exwick, by owner Michael Denford for repairs while he went away for Christmas in Australia.
Mr Palmer found it missing when he went to his repair yard on Christmas Day to feed cats who live there and he then set about trying to find it.
Miss Eagles said:"Mr Palmer undertook his own detective work. He was suspicious of a former client who visited on Christmas Eve and went to the area where he lived in Exwick to look around.
"He discovered the stolen car in a car park at Moorhead Way, close to Welham's home. It had a different set of number plates and had been disguised by spraying tint on the windows and putting on stickers.
"Mr Palmer was able to recognise it from damage to the front grille and the police were able to confirm it was the same car."
Miss Eagles said cash and a jacket had been stolen from the garage and three bags from the car with a total value of £540. CCTV from the garage showed Welham and an unknown female taking the keys.
Mr Nick Bradley, defending, said Welham has only just been diagnosed with ADHD and he hopes treatment will enable him to turn his back on a history of petty crime.
