A MAN stole a car to get away from a party – then handed himself to the police a few hours later, a court heard.

Kevin Baldwin, of Crosland Street in Crosland Moor, was sentenced by Huddersfield magistrates yesterday.

The 24-year-old stole a Vauxhall Astra from outside a property on Westbourne Road.

He had been at the address the night before enjoying drinks with a group including Jamie Beasdsworth.

Magistrates heard that the following morning while Mr Beasdsworth was taking a shower, his car keys and mobile phone were stolen.

A neighbour witnessed the £9,500 vehicle being taken but it was never found. Baldwin sold it to a group of men for £175.

Baldwin pleaded guilty to both thefts.

Charles Ainley, defending, said: “It’s a bizarre set of circumstances for the theft of a motor vehicle.

“There were illegal things happening in the property that he didn’t want to be part of.

“He wanted to get away and he took the car. He panicked and wanted to get rid of it.”

The theft took a twist when Baldwin went to Huddersfield police station and handed over the phone.

He waited for two hours to speak to an officer.

Mr Ainley said: “When he found the phone he knew it would have personal information on it and didn’t want the person to lose that information.

“I’ve never before had this situation where somebody has taken a vehicle and returned to the police.

“It shows a high level of remorse to go to the police before they were even looking for him.”

Magistrates heard that Baldwin had a list of previous convictions, including burglary in May 2009.

They gave him a community order for 12 months as an alternative to custody.

He was ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £200 compensation to the victim.