A THIEF who stole from a car and was later snared by police asleep at the wheel of another vehicle avoided jail yesterday.

Charlotte Taylor had been drinking and had taken Valium when she broke into a BMW 420 and a Hyundai i20 in Hyndland in May this year.

The 29-year-old also coughed on cops and shouted "coronavirus".

Taylor made off with a log book, a quantity of paperwork and a jewellery box from the BMW.

She was found shortly after slumped in the driver’s seat of the Hyundai and was arrested.

Taylor later coughed on a police officer and stated she had coronavirus.

The first offender and mum-of-three pleaded guilty to theft, intention to commit theft and the police assault.

Sheriff Sean Murphy QC ordered Taylor, of Ruchill, to do 160 hours of unpaid work.

He also put her under supervision for 18 months.

The court heard the BMW owner locked their car door on Kersland Lane before Taylor entered the vehicle by “means unknown.”

Prosecutor Mark Allan told the court she went on to take the three items from the glove box.

The owner later realised the items had been taken and dialled 999.

Officers were informed that Taylor was clocked behind the wheel of another car.

Mr Allan said: “Police approached the vehicle and observed the accused slumped and sleeping in the driver seat.”

The other items were recovered and Taylor was arrested and taken into custody.

Taylor became “irate” before shouting “coronavirus” and coughed towards PC Iain Gray before a spit hood was applied.

Pauline McKenzie, defending, told the court Taylor had been going through a family dispute and had taken alcohol and Valium at the time.