A SHERIFF has warned a car thief that his jail term will be measured in years when he next appears before him.

Paul Matthew Cowan, 41, whose address was given as Low Moss Prison, appeared from custody on indictment at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, July 18.

He pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges, alleging that on various dates from September 11, 2016 until January 12 or 13 this year, he stole cars, money, Christmas presents, jackets, two scarves, a mobile phone, a charger, mobile telephone cables and a quantity of documents.

The offences took place at Ravelston Road and Lochend Drive in Bearsden, Sydenham Road in the Hyndland area of Glasgow, Dumbarton Road in Clydebank, and Old Dalnottar Road and Jura Drive, Old Kilpatrick.

Co-accused Paul Daniel Cowan, 28, of Third Avenue, Bonhill, pleaded not guilty to the charges libelled against him, and his plea was accepted by the Crown.

In addition, the Crown also withdrew the libel against Christopher Cowan, 25, also of Third Avenue, Bonhill.

There were a total of 21 charges on the indictment, with Paul Matthew Cowan pleading guilty to 10 of them.

The court was told how he targeted the likes of a Land Rover Discovery which he ransacked, stole a £40,000 BMW and a Ford Fiesta worth more than £6,000, and looted a Vauxhall Astra during his spate of thefts or attempted thefts.

Cowan was eventually traced after he matched the description of one of the men behind the thefts, and was taken into custody.

Fiscal depute Sarah Healing told the court how the accused even aided police officers investigating his crime spree, going out in an unmarked car to the scene of some of his crimes and pointing out properties that he had targeted.

Cowan’s defence solicitor said in mitigation: “He has a criminal record that does him no credit at all. Custody is the obvious disposal.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said to Cowan: “Your solicitor tells me you expect a lengthy sentence.

“It will be measured in years and not months.”

Sentence was deferred until Friday, August 11 so that a criminal justice social work report and a supervised release assessment can be complied.

Cowan must remain in custody until the next court hearing.