Man jailed for trying to sell stolen car to police

A MAN who tried to sell a stolen car to an undercover police officer has been jailed for eight months.

Darren McArdle, 21, was snared selling a Suzuki jeep to the plain clothed officer in Stenhouse Road West, Edinburgh, in July 2011.

The city’s sheriff court heard how McArdle, a prisoner of HMP Saughton, was caught during a Lothian and Borders Police operation.

Depute procurator fiscal Dev Kapadia told the court that police were trying to catch minor criminals in Edinburgh when McArdle came on their radar.

After receiving information, the police went to meet the crook and decided to detain him when he tried to sell them the car.

McArdle pleaded guilty to a July 26, 2011, charge of reset before Sheriff Neil MacKinnon. He also admitted July 2011 charges of driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.

Passing sentence, Sheriff MacKinnon also banned McArdle from driving for 12 years.

He added: “The only appropriate disposal is for me to impose a custodial sentence.”