A BUMBLING car thief was caught after leaving his own vehicle behind with the stolen motor's owner.

On Thursday at Alloa Sheriff Court, Edward Laing admitted stealing a car from the Gulf Petrol Station near Tullibody and driving without insurance on May 22, 2015.

Fiscal depute Adrian Fraser told the court that the accused made an enquiry about a car that had been up for sale, but had since sold.

He showed interest in buying another car, taking that one out for a test drive with the owner.

When they arrived at the petrol station on the A907 the accused handed over some money.

As the owner went inside to pay for the petrol, 33-year-old Laing took off at speed.

The owner was initially confused as the accused had arrived and left a car at his house.

Mr Fraser stated it was a "strange set of affairs".

The owner used Facebook to gather information on the car left behind by Laing. That was then passed on to the police which led to the discovery of the stolen motor.

According to reports, there was around £4,000-£5,000 worth of damage to the car as decals had been removed and the turbo charger needed replaced.

Defending, it was claimed that Laing had just been released from prison at the time of the offence and was in a "very bad place".

He now "appreciates the stupidity of his actions".

Sheriff Linda Smith voiced her concern at the level of planning that went into the theft.

She told Laing, of Harburn Drive in West Calder, that he was "on the cusp of a custodial sentence".

Instead, Sheriff Smith sentenced the accused to a Community Payback Order with supervision for 18 months and 240 hours of unpaid work to be complete within six months.

She also slapped him with a Restriction of Liberty Order in which he'll have to stay indoors between 9pm and 7am for three months.

Laing was admonished for driving without insurance; however, his licence was endorsed with six penalty points.