The former Portsmouth man and England U21 captain had stopped in Harrogate to re-fuel the 197mph F430 Spider F1 machine on Monday, but then watched in dismay as the supercar sped off without him in it, going on a 25-mile high-speed joyride before eventually being halted by police near the city's racecourse.
28-year-old Philip McNamara, who stole O'Neil's motor, attempted to escape on foot but was eventually arrested and charged with theft.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance at Harrogate magistrates on Tuesday, and was subsequently handed a 10-month prison sentence and disqualification from driving for 12-months.
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