A CAR thief has been ordered to pay the full cost of his crime, having already spent several months behind bars for committing the offence.

Christopher Finnigan was given an 18-month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court, on January 11, having admitted theft of the Volkswagen Polo.

The car, worth £15,500, was driven from a driveway in Birch View, Chester-le-Street, as the windscreen was being defrosted.

Liam O’Brien, prosecuting, said the car was bought only ten days earlier and, as the keys were left in the vehicle with the engine running and the door open, the insurance company refused to pay compensation.

Months after Finnigan was jailed, a proceeds of crime hearing was staged at the court to settle how much money could be retrieved.

Mr O’Brien said Finnigan denied selling the car, but claimed he dumped it on waste ground having driven it for a while after taking it from the driveway.

“The prosecution claims Finnigan makes a living from selling cars, with six vehicles still registered in his name.

“He has a history of trading in cars and would have known, fine well, the value of the motor he would have taken.

“It’s not credible he would have abandoned it."

The court heard £6,230 was available as an immediate asset in a frozen bank account.

Paul Currer, for Finnigan, said that was a “realistic figure” for the confiscation.

But Judge Peter Kelson said: “I reject his account as absurd and dishonest.

“He stole it, disposed of it and profited from the disposal, keeping those profits, which he has concealed from this court.”

He ordered 30-year-old Finnigan, of Market Place, Houghton-le-Spring, to pay the full cost of the car.