After swopping his Subaru Impreza for another vehicle on Gumtree, Paul Welch kept a set of keys, and later returned to Newtown St Boswells and stole it back.
He then swopped it again with another driver for a BMW at Harthill Services.
The 22-year-old of Gordon Drive, East Kilbride, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday and admitted stealing a car at Whitefield Crescent, Newtown St Boswells on November 19 last year, and committing the offence while on bail.
“A man had seen a Subaru Impreza car advertised on Gumtree, for sale or swap, and met up with the accused,” explained depute fiscal Tessa Bradley.
“They swapped vehicles, and the accused told him there was only one set of keys for the car”, she added.
Welch had kept a set of keys and was seen in Newtown St Boswells around 10.30pm.
A neighbour returning home, saw the Subaru Impreza drive off at speed, and police were contacted.
“Details of the vehicle were circulated, but he further swopped the car at Harthill Services, and it was another man who was stopped by police,” continued Ms Bradley.
“He explained what had happened and gave details of his BMW, which was traced and recovered in Glasgow,” continued Ms Bradley.
Checks of email and mobile phone messages were linked to the accused, who gave police a “no comment” interview.
Defence solicitor Greig McDonell said his client, a self-employed plasterer, was currently serving a nine-month jail term imposed at Airdrie Sheriff Court.
“He has little to say by way of explanation,” said Mr McDonell.
“He had owned the vehicle and retained a key, and that is how he stole it.
“It was worth about £700,” he added.
Sheriff Peter Paterson jailed Welch for 168 days, back-dated to September 22.