A mechanic who agreed to organise an MOT on a car, then stole it after being handed the keys, has had his jail term more than halved.

Isiah Mdala from Leeds told the owner of the Toyota Landcruiser that he would sort out an MOT on his vehicle in May last year.

However, London’s Criminal Appeal Court heard how the owner ‘never saw his vehicle again’.

Mdala was originally jailed for 19 months for theft and failing to surrender to bail in March this year.

He was convicted in his absence at Leeds Crown Court.

Now appeal judge, Lord Justice Flaux, has slashed Mdala’s jail term to eight and a half months.

The court heard how the Toyota’s owner was fobbed off repeatedly with excuses about why the vehicle had not been tested and returned to him.

“Mean offence”

Mdala told officers he had decided it would cost too much to get the car in a fit state to pass the MOT.

He said he had it scrapped instead, although he had not asked the owner’s permission to do so.

Lord Justice Flaux, sitting with two other senior judges, condemned it as ‘a mean offence’.

But he went on to allow the appeal, in light of Mdala’s previous good character and the fact that he is the father and primary carer of five young children.

“The immediate custodial sentence had a grave impact on this appellant’s family,” he concluded.

Mdala’s total sentence was cut to eight months and two weeks.

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