A VINTAGE hearse had to be hotwired after an undertaker from a rival firm stole keys from the ignition while mourners gathered at a church for a funeral service.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom 6, containing the body of Patricia Thorburn, was outside a Salvation Army citadel on Teesside, when David Wood struck last September.

Mrs Thorburn’s family and friends and staff from the funeral home were left stunned when they realised the keys had been snatched – and the car could not be moved.

Another firm of undertakers offered a replacement car, but Mrs Thorburn had been adamant that she wanted her final journey to the cemetery to be in the Rolls Royce.

Staff had to strip out the dashboard of the vintage vehicle and hotwire it to get the cortege from the citadel, in Trimdon Avenue, Middlesbrough, to the town’s Acklam Cemetery.

Irene Jessop, funeral director with Joel D Kerr funeral service, of Marton Road, Middlesbrough, said at the time: “The level of disrespect is unbelievable, dreadful.”

The cruel theft – carried out by Wood, after he accused Mr Kerr of poaching business, which his rival denied – caused major disruption and a one-hour delay.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday that a secondhand lock has been found for the vehicle, at a cost of £250, but the other repairs have not been itemised.

Wood, 48, of Bridge Court, Middlesbrough, was due to go on trial for theft yesterday, but pleaded guilty after lengthy legal discussions with his defence team.

His case was adjourned until next month by Judge Les Spittle, so a background pre-sentence report can be prepared.

Wood was told he is most likely to get a community penalty, but should also expect to be ordered to pay Hartlepool businessman Mr Kerr compensation for the repairs.

“The victim here is not going to bear the cost of your activity,”

Judge Spittle told Wood.

“You can anticipate, certainly, some financial cost to you.”

Mrs Thorburn, who died on September 13 last year, aged 65, had seen the car on display at the Cleveland Show, and told Mrs Jessop: “When my time comes, I want one of those.”

One family member said after the September 23 theft: “I can’t understand what type of person would steal the keys to a hearse on the way to a burial. It is sickening.”

Another said: “It happened in the citadel car park as we were all preparing to go to the cemetery.”