Thurgoona man avoids jail over joyride, but won't be released from custody just yet

Matthew Douglas avoided a prison term when he went before Albury Local Court on Monday.

But Douglas won't be released from custody as he still faces more serious, unrelated charges before the District Court.

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Douglas, 21, of Coolibah Court, Thurgoona, pleaded guilty to a single charge of being carried in a conveyance without the consent of the owner and was placed on a 12-month community corrections order.

Police told the court how a 2012 black Mazda CX9 was stolen from a residence in Buronga Drive, Springdale Heights between April 4 and 5.

That same car was involved in several police pursuits on April 7, when police said the vehicle "appeared to be travelling in convoy" with another stolen vehicle, a white utility.

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The Mazda was seen driving "erratically" throughout the Albury area for "some hours" before being found in Maryville Way, Thurgoona.

Police seized the car and had it towed to a holding yard in South Albury.

Forensic examination of the car, the court heard, uncovered fingerprints and DNA both inside the car and on the duco.

One of those fingerprints then matched with those of Douglas, who police said was "well-known" to them.

Douglas, police said, was facing similar allegations before the courts.

A couple of days later, on April 9, Douglas was arrested by police over an unrelated investigation.

But during an interview with Albury detectives he was asked about the allegations related to the Mazda.

"No comment" was all he was willing to say in reply to their questions.

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