A Sandys Parish man who took a car for a "joyride'' and stole more than $10,000 worth of jewellery was jailed for nine months when he appeared in Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Kino Grant Outerbridge, 28, of Cockburn Road, Dockyard, pleaded guilty to suspicion of removal, and also two counts of stealing on August 21.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that about 7.55 a.m., the owner of a white Renault convertible parked the car in the Par-la-Ville parking lot.

She left the car with the keys under a mat and left the car unattended.

When she returned to the parking lot around 2 p.m. she saw the car was missing and she called the Police.

Police were on the lookout for the vehicle when they spotted it in Sandys with Outerbridge and another man in the car.

When Police stopped the car and arrested Outerbridge, the other man fled the the scene.

Outerbridge admitted to Police that he stole the car and also an Alpine CD player worth $4,400 and several pieces of jewellery worth $7,200 from the car.

Ms Clarke told the court that Outerbridge had an extensive record and convictions for similar offences and in each instance he was given a fine. In defence of the incident, Outerbridge said: "I did take the car -- strictly for a joy ride.'' "You say you took the car for a ride!'' Mr. Warner said. "That's not the first time you've done this.'' Mr. Warner appeared unswayed with the explanation and sentenced Outerbridge to nine months imprisonment for each of the three offences. All were to run concurrently.

But, duty counsel Elizabeth Christopher who stepped in to defend Outerbridge, objected to Mr. Warner's sentence and said Outerbridge should have a social inquiry report conducted before being sentenced.

She noted that he was a drug addict and because of that, he was committing the crimes.

"You seemed to have passed a sentence that is a bit harsh,'' she argued, "and I would invite the court to reconsider. The defendant has never been the recipient of a social inquiry report. Mr. Outerbridge is a drug addict.

"He has never been to Westgate Correctional Facility and he's never been involved in any rehab programme. And the property that was taken was returned to the owner.'' But Mr. Warner replied: "Remember his explanation? That he was joy riding.

There was also $10,000 worth of jewellery in that car. We can't do a social inquiry report for everyone.

"And you have already indicated here in court what a social inquiry report will tell me. The court declines the order of a social inquiry report.'' "Having considered carefully all the circumstances, the sentence of this court is nine months on count one, nine months on count two and nine months for count three. All to run concurrently.'' Archie Warner