A TEENAGER who had been drinking when he stole a car and took it for a joyride was caught red-handed by police after the vehicle broke down.

A resident in South Petherton heard the sound of an engine revving loudly and saw Reginald Hughes in the driver’s seat of a Mitsubishi 4x4 vehicle.

They became suspicious after the male got out and then returned to the car and drove it off. The resident phoned the police.

When they saw the vehicle again an hour later while walking their dog they saw the defendant trying to start it so called the police who arrested Hughes after discovering the car was stolen.

Hughes, 18, of Southampton Road, Salisbury, pleaded guilty to taking the vehicle without consent and driving it at South Petherton without insurance on February 22.

Somerset Magistrates were told that he was 17 at the time. When the witness saw him the first time he drove off towards Lower Stratton.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said: “An hour later at 8.30am the same witness was out walking their dog when they saw the vehicle again stopped in Harp Road.

“The same male was in the driver’s seat attempting to start it and when they called the police again officers arrived and saw the car was broken down,” she said.

“Hughes gave his details and further enquiries revealed the car had been sold to a scrap dealer the week before who had sold it on to a man called Mr Cook who intended to repair it.

“He parked it in a field and had not given anyone permission to drive it. Hughes was found to only hold a provisional licence.”

Gareth Webb, defending, said that Hughes was a member of the travelling community and the vehicle belonged to someone from the same community.

“The owner accepts he bought the car and left it in the middle of a field with the keys left inside and the defendant only drove it a few miles,” he said.

Probation officer Joe Harper said that on the night of the offence Hughes had been drinking with friends into the early hours of the morning and his memory of the offence was “a bit vague”.

“He remembers approaching the vehicle and getting in and does remember driving it but maintains it was never his intention to steal it or sell it off,” he said.

“He just moved the vehicle that was blocking a lane and cannot remember if he was on his own or with friends.”

He added that the defendant suffered from depression and anxiety and regretted his actions.

Magistrates gave Hughes a 12 month community order with a requirement to carry out 40 hours unpaid work plus a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for 40 days.

Costs of £85 and a £60 victim surcharge were imposed and his licence was endorsed with six penalty points for the insurance offence.