Ferrari thief offers to return stolen car as he barters for a shorter jail term
Ashley McNulty says he knows the whereabouts of the classic car - said to be one of only four of its kind in the world
A MAN who stole a rare Ferrari has offered to return it in the hopes of cutting down his jail term.
Ashley McNulty attempted to broker a deal with the judge as he managed to get his sentencing delayed with the promise of handing the car over.
The 27-year-old man from Gloucester thinks he knows where the car that he stole from a Cotswold mansion is.
Gloucester Crown Court heard he could get the classic silver Ferrari 550 to police within a fortnight.
The car is only one of four of its kind in the world and is worth about £500,000.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC agreed to delay sentencing until November 25 to see if he can deliver the goods.
Asking for a delay in sentencing, defence solicitor Matthew Harbinson said "The stolen Ferrari is a very rare one. It is worth almost half a million pounds.
"The high value is due to its rarity and the fact there are only 2-3 in the country.
"My client's instructions are that he believes he knows its whereabouts and believes he can arrange for its recovery.
"The recovery of a car worth £500,000 would reduce the total value of the stolen property significantly and it may make a difference in relation to sentence."
Judge Tabor said "It won't do any harm!"
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McNulty pleaded guilty to burgling Mill House, Southrop, nr Lechlade, Glos, between 18-22 August this year and stealing the Ferrari, a black Porsche, four guns including a Browning automatic and a gas powered air rifle, fishing equipment and cutlery and candlesticks.
He also pleaded guilty to burgling the Orange Pig shop in Tewkesbury and stealing clothing on 22nd August.
Telling McNulty he would be remanded in custody pending sentence on 25th Nov the judge asked him "Is it a front or rear engine Ferrari?"
Surprised, McNulty hesitated before replying "I would say the rear, to be honest."
As McNulty went downstairs from the dock to the cells, prosecutor Julian Kesner told the judge "I have been told there are only four of them in the world."
After the burglary police also arrested two other men - one aged 38 of no fixed abode and the other 37 and from Cheltenham. They are now on police bail till November 18.
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