Builder was caught stealing his own truck back after police seized it

Builder, 35, was caught stealing his own truck back after police seized it because its insurance policy had been cancelled by his business partner

• Matthew Clough, 35, acted when he thought his van would end up in the crusher
• CCTV captured him driving off in the vehicle after using his spare key to get in it

A builder was caught stealing his own truck back after it was seized by police because its insurance policy had been cancelled. 

Matthew Clough, 35, feared his red Peugeot Tipper Van would end up in the crusher after his business partner cancelled the insurance on the vehicle and it was subsequently impounded by police. 

A court heard the father-of-one took out a new policy on the vehicle but he was sent away three times by officers at Eccles Street Police Station in Manchester after they told him he did not bring the right paperwork.

CCTV footage then captured him entering a garage where the truck was being kept before he used his spare key to get into the van and drive off. He was arrested two weeks later and it is thought the truck was seized again.

Clough, from Bolton, was fined £80 with £117 costs but was spared a driving ban. His licence was endorsed with six points at an earlier hearing after he admitted having no insurance. 

Matthew Clough (pictured), 35, was charged with stealing his own truck after he repeatedly tried to get it back after police impounded it

A court heard the father-of-one took out a new policy on the vehicle but he was sent away three times by officers at Eccles Street Police Station in Manchester after they told him he did not bring the right paperwork 

The builder, who is expecting his second child with his partner, was initially charged by police with car theft but prosecutors later accepted his guilty plea to taking his vehicle without the owner’s consent 

This was on the basis that police were the ‘temporary owners’ of the van.

Steve Woodward, prosecuting, told Wigan JPs: ‘On May 16 Mr Clough was stopped for driving with no insurance. He said he believed it did have insurance but the truck was seized and taken to a garage at Hough Green, Horwich.

‘He was advised that he would have to go to a police station with the correct documents before the compound would release the vehicle.

‘On May 24 Mr Clough attended Eccles Street Police Station and had documents with him but not sufficient to allow the police to release the vehicle back in his custody.

‘He then said to the police, “I will get a mate who works at the garage to get it out for me.” He left the police station with those words in the officer’s mind and within in a couple of hours, he attended the garage and is captured on CCTV going towards the vehicle. 

‘He entered the property and using a spare key, entered the tipper truck and drove from the compound.

‘As a result, police are involved. On June 8, he was arrested and questioned about the vehicle. He gave a ‘No comment’ interview. You are aware that this was originally charged with theft of a vehicle. I think that the new charge is more appropriate.’

Clough, from Bolton, Greater Manchester was fined £80 with £117 costs but was spared a driving ban

Clough’s lawyer Michelle Buckle said: ‘This is an unusual case where Mr Clough is said to have taken his own vehicle without the owner’s consent. 

‘He has his own building business, had a business partner, was fully insured and had a driving licence. But over time he and his partner parted ways and the business partner then cancelled the insurance.

‘The first time the defendant knew he had no insurance was when he was stopped by police. He said he was not aware of it.  

‘He said he would insure it at the roadside and initially the police were willing to allow him to do that but there were some issues with the vehicle so they impounded it.

‘This has had a significant on Mr Clough who needs that vehicle to conduct his day-to-day business. 

‘He was told he needed to go to the police station to retrieve the vehicle so he went but upon arrival he was told he cannot simply take it, and that he needs to make an appointment.

‘He left then went back having made an appointment but on the second occasion he was told that he should have been sent an email with a list of documents that should be provided. 

‘He did not have that and was not aware that he needed to provide the documents.

The builder, who is expecting his second child with his partner, was initially charged by police with car theft but prosecutors later accepted his guilty plea to taking his vehicle without the owner’s consent

‘On the third occasion when he went back to the police station he was very mindful that he was in the middle of a job as part of his business and he needed to complete it to be paid. 

‘He had also received correspondence that if the vehicle was not collected within 14 days the vehicle could be crushed. Afterwards he then made the unwise decision to take the vehicle himself. He knows he shouldn’t have done it, and he is remorseful.

‘This was his vehicle but he accepts that he was not in control of it at the time, therefore did not have the temporary owner’s consent to take the vehicle. He had to pay compound insurance of £500. 

‘He has not been able to work since the vehicle was taken from him. He would hope that he can continue with his business and provide for himself and his family.  

‘He has a two-year-old son and his partner is currently pregnant with his second child. His licence is extremely important to him. His business would not function without it.

‘He has also been fined £300 for having no insurance. Accordingly, he is out of pocket by £800.’

Sentencing JP Joanne Smith told Clough: ‘We have decided not to disqualify you from driving today as that would seem disproportionate. That is because the car is actually yours – and it’s not like you have taken someone else’s car.’

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