A SERIAL housebreaker has been caged over an early-morning rampage which saw him crash a car he had stolen.

Johnstone man Reice Harrison was only free to pinch the Suzuki Vitara from outside a house in Paisley on February 17 this year because he had been released early from a previous prison sentence imposed for another housebreaking bid.

At Paisley Sheriff Court last week, a jury convicted him of six charges – stealing car keys, stealing the Suzuki, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, crashing the vehicle and failing to report an accident to the police.

He had also been charged with driving dangerously by speeding excessively, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and collide with railings and a set of traffic lights, but the jury convicted him of the alternative crime of driving without due care and attention.

Defence solicitor Tony Callahan confirmed 24-year-old Harrison was on licence at the time, having been released from prison on January 21. 

Sheriff Seith Ireland pointed out that the sentence Harrison was released early from was not due to expire until December 21 this year – meaning he had been released 307 days early.

Referring to the latest offences, he added: “Custody really has to be uppermost in the court’s mind, considering the serious record.”

Sheriff Ireland added that, as Harrison is such a prolific offender, who steals to fund his drug habit, he may have to be made the subject of a Supervised Release Order, which will see him monitored by social workers in the community once he is released from prison. 

The judge then called for background reports to be prepared by social workers, deferred sentence until next month and remanded Harrison in custody.

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