A RACIST thief was caught with his loot in a distinctive pillow case.

Stephen Keating was snared with Ainsley Buckley's items which were kept in her unlocked car in Glasgow's Castlemilk on October 3, 2021.

The 33-year-old was caught returning to the scene of the crime after initially fleeing the crime when spotted by a neighbour.

Keating was out on early release from a prison sentence for ignoring two bail orders and assaulting his ex-lover.

But, Keating is back behind bars after pleading guilty yesterday to entering an insecure car and stealing items.

He also admitted having a pair of scissors without a reasonable excuse or lawful authority and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Keating was jailed for 223 days which will commence after he completes six months of the previous sentence.

The court heard a neighbour spotted Keating "rumaging inside the vehicle" at 8.30pm.

He was clocked closing the car door and walking away from the scene.

The neighbour contacted Miss Buckley who was "shocked" and did not know who Keating was.

Prosecutor Lauren Donnelly added: "She stated that she hadn't used the car in eight weeks and left the vehicle unlocked as she had lost the keys.

"Keating returned to the scene where he was confronted by the neighbour and Miss Keating.

"He was noted to be carrying a black and white pillowcase which was bulging with items."

The case was found to contain a keyring, paracetamol, a mobile phone charger and lipstick amounting to £25.

A missing £10 note was not recovered.

He made attempts to flee the scene but was stopped by the neighbour who waited with him until the police arrived.

Keating told officers: "You are just protecting the P**is.

He was searched at the police station and a pair of scissors was found inside his bag.

Harvie Diamond, defending, told the court that Keating was homeless upon leaving prison and kept his belongings in the pillow case.

The lawyer added that Keating had taken drugs and "didn't really know what he was doing."

Sheriff Joan Kerr told Keating that "custody is necessary as there is no other disposal available."